CS Duale orders security audits at all referral hospitals after KNH patient murder

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed all national referral hospitals to submit detailed security and operational audit reports within seven days, following the murder of a disabled patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Thursday, July 17.

The directive was issued on Monday, during a high-level meeting with CEOs of major public hospitals at Afya House, where Duale described the incident as a failure of leadership and governance that exposed serious weaknesses in hospital safety.

“The CS urged immediate internal reviews of security, emergency preparedness, patient protection, and staff conduct, and requested detailed audit reports within seven days,” read a statement from the Ministry of Health.

He said the murders and growing public complaints highlighted systemic failures that have eroded trust in public health institutions. He reminded hospital CEOs that they bear direct responsibility for the safety and discipline within their facilities.

Duale instructed the hospital bosses to outline all current security and management challenges, the actions already taken, and the urgent measures still needed.

He further directed all referral hospitals to develop or update crisis communication plans to ensure prompt and clear responses during emergencies.

“The CS further called for stronger enforcement of staff discipline and improved institutional culture, noting rising public concern over patient care and conduct,” the statement added.

The move follows a disturbing incident at KNH, where a 52-year-old male patient was found dead in Ward Seven, with reports indicating that the deceased was disabled when he met his death.

The hospital said the body was discovered in the afternoon, lying in blood-soaked bedding.

The main suspect fled the scene immediately after the killing but has since been arrested and is in police custody.

KNH confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the death occurred under “unclear circumstances,” which further deepened public concern over patient safety at the country’s top referral facility.

The July 17 killing comes just five months after a similar incident at the same hospital. On February 7, a 39-year-old male patient was found dead in his bed at KNH with a deep wound on his throat.

A postmortem revealed that the throat had been slit nearly three centimetres deep using a kitchen knife, and the attacker, believed to be an unknown intruder, was never identified.

The hospital’s repeated failure to protect patients has attracted widespread criticism and intensified pressure on the Ministry of Health to act decisively.

During the Monday meeting, Duale announced plans for a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior to strengthen coordination between referral hospitals and local security agencies.

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“Leadership at the facility level must actively drive these partnerships. While the Ministry remains committed to supporting referral hospitals, this support must be matched by accountability and clear, measurable progress,” Duale said.

The CS stressed that public trust must be regained through responsible leadership and consistent accountability from hospital management.

Security concerns in public health facilities have not been limited to KNH. Earlier in July, during the Saba Saba demonstrations, goons invaded Kitengela Hospital and disrupted ongoing procedures, including a caesarean section.

The attack triggered national outrage, and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the release of the suspects on a Sh50,000 bail, calling the penalty too lenient given the nature of the crime.