KNH murder suspect Kalombotole charged after months of mental state stalemate

Kalombotole pleaded not guilty to the murder charge when he appeared before Justice Diana Kavedza at the High Court in Nairobi on Thursday.

The court accepted the findings of a three-member panel of psychiatrists from Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital, which concluded that the accused was mentally fit to take a plea.

Justice Kavedza then read the charge, accusing Kalombotole of murdering Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni on or about February 6 and 7, 2025, at Ward 7B of Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi County. He denied the charge.

The plea marks a significant milestone in the case, which had stalled for more than a year due to conflicting psychiatric reports on the accused's mental condition.

At an earlier stage of the proceedings, the court had even considered having Kalombotole taken to South Africa for an independent psychiatric assessment after doctors failed to agree on his mental state.

However, the court later ordered that he instead be examined by a panel of three psychiatrists in Kenya to conclusively determine whether he was fit to stand trial.

Following the latest assessment, the court found that the accused was fit to plead, paving the way for the murder trial to begin.

The prosecution told the court it intends to call about 20 witnesses to prove its case, including the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem examination.

Justice Kavedza, however, advised the prosecution to consider reducing the number of witnesses to about 16 to ensure the trial proceeds expeditiously.

The hearing has been scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026.

The court also directed counsel representing the victim's family to file any concerns relating to the victims' interests as the trial progresses.

In addition, Justice Kavedza ordered prison authorities to ensure Kalombotole receives a diabetic diet and continues taking his prescribed medication while in custody. She also directed both the prosecution and the defence to file submissions on his bail application.

Kalombotole is accused of murdering Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni while the deceased was admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital in February 2025.

The trial is now set to proceed with the presentation of witness testimony and other evidence after the court resolved the long-standing dispute over the accused's mental fitness.