Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a patient at Kenyatta National Hospital’s Ward C, was on Monday July 21, 2025, arraigned before the Kibera Law Courts as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought to detain him for 21 more days to conclude investigations.

Appearing before Deputy Registrar Daisy Mutai, Kalombotole was presented as the main suspect in the murder of Edward Maingi Ndegwa, who was found dead in his hospital bed on July 17, 2025.

Ndegwa had been admitted to the Level 7B Ward C since July 12, 2025.

DCI argued that the suspect’s continued detention is necessary to facilitate ongoing investigations, including forensic analysis, DNA sampling, mental assessment, and witness interviews.

According to an affidavit sworn by Corporal Benard Muange of the DCI Homicide Investigations Bureau, the circumstances surrounding Ndegwa’s death remain suspicious and unresolved.

 “The deceased was found murdered in his bed, and the manner of death has shocked both the hospital staff and the community. We are yet to obtain DNA samples from the Kolombotole for comparison with evidence collected from the scene and the deceased’s body,” said officer Muange 

The DCI officers also added that they need time to collect fingerprint impressions, take official statements from key witnesses, perform a full autopsy, and conduct a mental health evaluation to determine Kalombotole’s fitness to stand trial for murder charges.

The prosecution also raised security concerns if the suspect is freed on bail, citing the highly emotional response from the family of the deceased and the general public, and urged that the suspect be detained at Kilimani police station.

“This case has caused considerable public outrage. Releasing the respondent at this stage could endanger his safety and undermine public confidence in the justice system,” argued the prosecution.

The court heard that the body of the deceased, Ndegwa, is yet to undergo a post-mortem examination by a government pathologist, a key step that the DCI believes will be vital in establishing the cause of death and potentially linking it to the suspect.

“It is in the interest of justice that the court grants this request to allow the investigators to do a thorough job before any formal charges are laid,” Muange emphasized.

However, Kalombotole’s defense lawyers, led by Joshua Ombengi and Zephaniah Chapa vehemently opposed his continued detention in a police cell, arguing that the suspect is still unwell and had been discharged from the hospital at the time of his arrest.

The court also heard that the suspect had been receiving treatment at both Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Nairobi Hospital.

The defense urged the court to compel the DCI to produce medical reports to confirm the suspect’s medical condition.