KNH murder case: Lawyers reject mental report declaring person of interest Kalombotole fit to plead to charges
Lawyers representing a person of interest in the murder of patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kennedy Kalombotole, have rejected the psychiatric report that he is fit to stand trial.
The report presented before Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, indicated that Kalombotole is fit and can plead to murder charges lodged against him by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
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According to his lawyers, the report does not have details of their client’s mental evaluation, and they also point out that it does not indicate when their client was availed for the mental checkup.
“My lady, we are contesting the format of the report; we want a detailed one,” the defence lawyers told the court.
The defence lawyers now want the court to order another comprehensive assessment to be carried out before Kalombotole pleads to murder charges.
However, lawyer Denis Maina, representing the family of one of the victims, Gilbert Muthoni Kinywa, opposed the defence lawyers’ arguments, insisting that Kalombotole should plead to the murder charges.
Kalombotole was charged with the KNH murder.
Victims’ rights
He told the court that it is important to note that the victims have their rights too and have the matter commence.
“My lady, a mental report has been placed before you that the accused is fit to plead, and there is no reason available as to why there is a challenge to that assessment report,” lawyer Maina told the court.
“My lady, such a report can only be challenged with another report. We pray that you direct that this matter commence by the accused taking a plea,” lawyer Maina added.
Meanwhile, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichui also told the court that Kalombotole should take a plea.
She argued that the defence has not said any specific part that is in the report that does not warrant their client to take a plea; they are just saying they are not satisfied.
“My lady, the report presented to the court is authored by a doctor; it is adequate and specific for what the doctor found and says the person of interest is fit to take a plea. We pray that we continue with plea taking so that we can take hearing dates in this matter,” Prosecutor Gichui told the court.
Justice Kavedza deferred the plea taking, citing the defence team’s objection to the plea taking because they do not understand the findings of the mental health status of their client.
