The Kibera High Court is not ordering the immediate transfer of Kennedy Kalombotole, the primary suspect in the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) murders, to South Africa.
Instead, it is exploring this as a potential contingency if local experts fail to resolve conflicting psychiatric assessments findings regarding his fitness to stand trial.
Kalombotole is a suspect in the murder of two patients Gilbert Kinyua in February 2025 and Edward Maingi Ndegwa in July 2025 at the K.N.H.
He is described as a homeless long-term ward occupant with no known relatives or clear identification, he was arrested in July 2025.
Nearly a year after his arraignment, the suspect is yet to take plea owing to the contradicting reports on his mental status.
During court proceedings on May 14, 2026, the court was presented with contradictory psychiatric evaluations.
A report from private psychiatrist Dr. Fredrick Richard Owiti concluded that Kalombotole was unfit to plead, citing factors such as epilepsy affecting his mental stability. On the contrary, assessments linked to KNH suggested he was fit or required additional observation.
In response, the court in consultation with the parties, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) proposed a fresh examination by a panel of three psychiatrists at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya’s top mental health facility. This aims to provide a conclusive local determination of his mental fitness.
The judge indicated that should the Mathari three bench panel fail to reach a unanimous or agreed position, the court may refer Kalombotoleto South Africa for specialized forensic psychiatric evaluation given its advanced facilities and regional expertise in the field.
“If we do not agree on the three, we will take him to South Africa.”
Advocate for the victim agreed to have a re- examination putting into consideration that they were served with the conflicting findings.
The matter has been scheduled for mention on July 24, 2026, to review the panel’s findings and issue any further directions.
