Investigations into the murder of Gilbert Kinyua took a new turn on Friday after MPs urged investigative agencies to consider his former bedmate as a person of interest.
Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health chaired by Endebess MP Robert Pukose, while on a fact-finding mission at Kenyatta National Hospital, learned that Kinyua’s former bedmate had been diagnosed with diabetes and convulsions.
Although he was treated and discharged, he remained at the hospital.
William Sigilai, representing KNH CEO Evanson N. Kamuri informed the MPs that the patient in question had been discharged at the time of Kinyua’s death.
“He is our old patient and is homeless. He had diabetes and convulsions and was previously treated here but could not be discharged due to his situation. We found him a shelter through one of our partners because we have several homeless patients at KNH. His fingerprints have been taken to the National Registration Bureau,” Sigilai stated.
However, Seme MP James Nyikal interjected, saying, “I am interested in this patient. He has diabetes and convulsions, but what is his mental status? You and I know that convulsions are not always obvious seizures—sometimes, they manifest as convulsive behaviour, where a person acts without later recalling their actions.”
It emerged that although KNH had secured a shelter for him, he was later brought back after the facility refused to readmit him due to his disruptive behaviour.
“The matter is still with the DCI," Sigilai added.
The committee members called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Addressing a press conference after touring KNH and assessing the safety measures in place for both patients and staff, Pukose stated that his committee was generally satisfied with the briefings from the hospital management.
However, he emphasised the need for internal security improvements.
“There is room for improvement, particularly on the internal front, to enhance security within the hospital," he said.
Kinyua was brutally murdered inside Ward 7B on February 7, 2025, by an unknown person.
His body was found lying on his bed with a slit-neck.
