Family demands answers as patient dies after allegedly falling off Kerugoya Hospital balcony

A family from Kathaka village in Ndia, Kirinyaga County is demanding answers from the Kerugoya Referral Hospital management after their patient allegedly fell from the hospital’s fifth floor. 

The relatives led by the deceased’s brother James Murimi say they were informed about the death of 34-year-old John Muchomba on Sunday, August 12.

“We were shocked after the hospital management told us John’s body was in the mortuary after falling from the fifth floor and police visited the scene,” Muriuki said.

According to the police, a postmortem was conducted which showed the patient died by suicide after jumping from the hospital's balcony.

“We want an answer if this was really suicide. Why were we not told that on night we found him in the mortuary?” Muriuki asked. 

Kirinyaga Central sub-county police commander John Torori told Citizen Digital they have launched an investigation.

“The matter is being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” Torori said.

When reached for comment, the county health officer Stanley Muriithi refused to speak on the matter, saying it is being handled by police.

“The matter is being handled by the police. You can enquire from the Kerugoya police station or the hospital manager,” Muriithi told Citizen Digital via text message.

Muchomba was buried Monday at Kathaka village where relatives and residents accused the hospital management of negligence.

“This is sad. We were taking him there knowing they will take care of our patient,” Stephen Gacheru, the deceased's brother said.