Kennedy Kolombotole: Video Shows KNH Murder Suspect Appearing Disturbed During Arraignment

Kennedy Kolombotole: Video Shows KNH Murder Suspect Appearing Disturbed During Arraignment

  • Murder suspect Kennedy Kolombotole appeared emotionally distressed in court, failing to speak or respond clearly
  • In the video captured at the court, he showed visible signs of unease and confusion, remaining largely unresponsive to his legal team
  • Kolombotole was accused of killing two patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital in early 2025, and on July 17

Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Kennedy Kolombotole, a murder suspect linked to two deaths at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), appeared before the Kibera Law Courts on Monday, July 21.

Kennedy Kolombotole was arraigned on Monday, July 21.
Kennedy Kolombotole and his advocate at the Kibera Law Courts. Photo: Citizen TV.
Source: Facebook

He was accused of killing Gilbert Kinyua in February 2025 and Edward Maingi on July 17, 2025, both while they were admitted at the facility.

According to Maingi's family, he was killed just a day before his scheduled discharge, leaving them devastated.

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The arraignment came after a series of investigations flagged Kolombotole as a person of interest.

What happened during Kennedy Kolombotole's arraignment?

Inside the court, he appeared disturbed and withdrawn, accompanied by his legal representatives.

Despite attempts to engage him, he remained unresponsive and visibly uneasy. His legal team had earlier reported that he is suffering from four known medical conditions.

His expression reflected either remorse or confusion, and inside the courtroom, he remained seated, silent, and visibly distressed.

How did Kenyans react to Kolombotole's appearance?

Julius Tayale

"Stop taking Kenyans in circles; if someone is mentally sick, he or she is supposed to be rehabilitated at Mathari Hospital near Muthaiga, or Chiromo rehabilitation at Westland, or Kilimani hub, but not at KNH."

Christine Omwana Wa Nafoyo

"Mtu mwenye kukata vichwa mbili anakuwa aje shaken ama scapegoat tu."

Ann Wairimu

"He looks like he doesn’t know what's going on."

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Maureen Maurry

"In the last story, he had no family, but now he has a new jacket. From where?"

Susan George

"Hapo kuna story; kwani cell kuna nguo za kuchange? Juu alikua na trench ya black, leo amevaa maroon."

Was Kolombotole residing at KNH?

Kolombotole, a long-term patient at KNH with no known family or verified identity, had been intermittently admitted since November 2022.

Efforts by the hospital to trace his background through fingerprinting and social media proved unsuccessful.

After his discharge in January 2025, attempts to place him in a home failed, forcing the hospital to retain him temporarily.

Following the first patient’s death in early 2025, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reportedly advised KNH to hold Kolombotole while investigations were underway.

His continued stay at the facility was attributed to a lack of alternative options and pending directives from investigative agencies.

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Kennedy Kolombotole continued to stay at KNH upon DCI's request.
KNH had appealed to the public to help in identifying Kennedy Kolombotole weeks before the murder of Gilbert Kinyua. Photo: KNH.
Source: Facebook

Was KNH's CCTV footage working?

Meanwhile, detectives from the DCI disclosed that CCTV cameras in the wards where the murders occurred were non-functional at the time.

Despite the lack of surveillance footage, investigators said they obtained compelling circumstantial evidence linking the suspect to the killings.

Among the items recovered were blood-stained slippers found under Kolombotole’s hospital bed and a kitchen knife believed to have been used in the attacks.

In a further chilling discovery, a knife wrapped in gloves was found directly beneath a seventh-floor window of the ward, suspected to have been discarded after the incident.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Nancy Odindo avatar

Nancy Odindo (Current affairs editor) I have one year of experience in print media and more than four years in digital media. I am currently working with Tuko.co.ke as a Current Affairs editor. I have attended training on Managing Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality and Inclusion, organised by WAN-IFRA and the Google News Initiative (GNI), designed to help journalists find, verify, and tell their stories. Email: nancy.odindo@tuko.co.ke/nancyodindo@gmail.com

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