Police to grill family members in KNH cancer patient murder probe

The cancer patient who was murdered at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi on Sunday morning had told a relative that he feared for his life immediately he was transferred to another ward, the police have said.

Details have also emerged that the deceased had land-related issues at his rural home, prompting the police to widen the scope of investigations to include the grilling of close family members.

Cosmas Mutunga, 42, was initially admitted to Ward 8D before he was transferred to 8C where he was found murdered.

KNH chief executive Lily Koros Tare said on Monday the matter was being investigated and that the hospital would co-operate with the detectives.

“The patient who up to the time of his unfortunate demise was under our care receiving treatment, died under unclear circumstances,” she said.

Though Kilimani OCPD Peter Kattam on Sunday said detectives were reviewing the CCTV footage, the CEO yesterday said that there were no cameras on that floor.

“For patients’ confidentiality and privacy, we do not install cameras in the wards. The only available camera was on the ground floor,” she said.

All the three nurses who were on duty that night have been grilled as the hospital maintained that they ought to have been moving up and down checking on the patients.

Assistant director in charge of special surgical services Joel Lessan said Monday he was called by the nurses and he certified the patient had died.

The CEO and Dr Leshan contradicted each other when the latter said that the body was moved from the scene of the murder “for the sake of other patients.”

“He had severe facial injuries and we moved the body from the ward for the sake of other patients,” he said. “We, however, do not know whether the attacker came from outside or within the wards.”

The hospital said the deceased underwent the usual four-hourly observation which included turning him on his side on each occasion due to his failing health.

“The last observation on record was at 4am. At 5.30am, the nurses went to prepare the patient for the morning medication and found him with facial injuries,” said Ms Koros.