The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has ordered the immediate closure of Chiromo Hospital Group’s Braeside branch in Nairobi following a shocking death incident at the facility.

An autopsy revealed that a patient, Susan Njoki, was strangled to death while at the hospital.

In a letter addressed to the hospital’s management KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki, said further reports indicated the possible involvement of a staff member in the death of Njoki.

The hospital has been directed to evacuate all patients within 24 hours of receiving the letter and cease all clinical services at the branch until further notice.

Dr. Kariuki has instructed the hospital to respond promptly to the referenced letter and ensure the response includes copies of the postmortem reports, along with all relevant patient records and documentation as requested.

At the same time the hospital has been directed to provide a report detailing the steps it has taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

“These directives are issued pursuant to CAP 253 and subsidiary legislation legal notice 171, The Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Inquiry and Disciplinary Proceedings) (Procedure) Rules 2022, Rule 8 to ensure patient safety and restore public confidence in the health system,” read the statement in part.

The letter followed a site visit carried out on July 18, with KMPDC also demanding that the hospital submit Njoki’s medical records and a copy of her post-mortem report.

Susan Njoki, who had a documented history of mental health treatment, reportedly died less than 24 hours after she was allegedly taken to Chiromo Braeside Hospital on against her will by four individuals. An autopsy conducted by six pathologists confirmed the cause of death as manual strangulation.n.

Alloise Ngure, the husband of Dr. Toto and a person of interest in the case, was arrested and later released on cash bail.