KMPDC shuts down Chiromo Hospital branch after Susan Njoki's murder

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has ordered the immediate closure of Chiromo Hospital Group’s Braeside branch in Nairobi after a shocking death incident at the facility. autopsy report revealed that a patient, Susan Njoki, was strangled to death at the facility.

KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki, in a letter addressed to the hospital’s management, cited further reports indicating the possible involvement of a staff member in the death of Ms. Njoki.

The council hence directed the hospital to evacuate all patients within 24 hours of receiving the letter. In addition, Chiromo Braeside has been ordered to cease all clinical services at the branch until further notice.

The hospital has also been instructed to respond promptly to the referenced letter and ensure the response includes copies of the postmortem reports, along with all relevant patient records and documentation as requested.

Furthermore, the facility has been directed to provide a report detailing the steps it has taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

“These directives are issued pursuant to CAP 253 and subsidiary legislation legal notice 171, The Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Inquiry and Disciplinary Proceedings) (Procedure) Rules 2022, Rule 8 to ensure patient safety and restore public confidence in the health system,” Dr. Kariuki noted.

An autopsy conducted by six pathologists confirmed that Njoki was killed approximately four hours after her last meal last on Tuesday, a day after she was admitted to the facility without her consent.

The late Njoki, who had a history of mental health treatment, had alleged on social media that her husband, Alloise Ngure, sent four doctors to inject her and take her to a mental facility against her will.

Renowned psychiatrist and Chiromo Hospital Group’s founder, Dr. Frank Njenga, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed sorrow and remorse, terming the death of Njoki, known to him personally, as a moment of reckoning for the facility and for mental healthcare in the country.

He emphasised that transparency and truth must be prioritised to ensure those culpable are held accountable.

Dr. Njenga noted that the is fully cooperating with investigators and is conducting an internal review of its operational and procedural protocols in the wake of the incident.