The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), led by Renson Ingonga, is facing growing criticism over its failure to act swiftly in the case of Kennedy Kalombotole, a suspect linked to multiple murders at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
The ODPP is being accused of ignoring investigative findings from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which had earlier recommended the prosecution of Kalombotole following the death of a patient, Gilbert Kinyua, on February 6, 2025.
According to reports, the DCI had thoroughly investigated the circumstances surrounding Kinyua’s death and had pointed to Kalombotole—his hospital roommate—as the prime suspect.
A detailed report prepared by detectives and dated June 30, 2025, outlined how the murder took place inside a hospital room. Despite this, the ODPP failed to act, and no charges were filed at the time.
It was only after a second murder—equally brutal—occurred months later at the same facility that the case was revisited, sparking public outrage and questions about prosecutorial negligence.
As per the DCI’s report, a nurse on night duty testified that she had given medication to both Kinyua and Kalombotole the night of the incident.
When she returned to the ward the next morning, she was alarmed to find blood stains on Kinyua’s bed. Kalombotole, who had been sharing the room with Kinyua, was identified as being present at the scene when the crime likely occurred. Despite this, no arrest was made at that point.
Kalombotole continued to stay at the hospital, and tragically, a second patient, Edward Maingi Ndegwa, was found murdered on July 17, 2025, reigniting public and political concern. Investigations later confirmed that Kalombotole was again the key suspect.
The second murder followed a similar disturbing pattern. A nurse had checked on Ndegwa at around 11:30 am on July 17 and found him in stable condition. A relative visited and spent time with the patient, leaving the ward at around 1:30 pm.
Just 30 minutes later, a hospital cleaner passing through the corridor spotted blood trickling from the patient’s neck area.
Detectives were immediately notified and arrived at the scene to begin their investigation. They discovered bloody slipper footprints near the body and followed the trail to a toilet and then to another side room within the hospital.
Inside that room, they found Kalombotole, who had been admitted to the hospital for months.
Further evidence collected at the scene included a pair of blue slippers smeared with blood, a blood-stained bedsheet, and a knife wrapped in gloves, which investigators believe was used in the murder.
It was later revealed that Kalombotole had been admitted to KNH since December 1, 2024, and was already suspected in the earlier murder of Kinyua. Authorities now believe he is also connected to yet another killing within the same hospital.
The inaction by the ODPP following the first incident is now under intense scrutiny. Many believe that if the prosecution had acted promptly on the DCI’s recommendations after the initial murder, the second tragedy could have been avoided.
Lawmakers and the public alike are now calling for accountability from the ODPP and a full review of the entire sequence of events that allowed a murder suspect to remain free within a public health facility.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
