Court postpones plea taking for suspect behind killing of two patients in KNH ward

The High Court has deferred the plea-taking of the prime suspect in two murders that happened inside the wards of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after the defence team objected to a medical report declaring him fit to stand trial.

Lawyers representing the accused, Kennedy Kalombotole, argued that the report was shallow, lacking details on how and when the accused was examined.

They maintained that the conclusions did not follow the required medical assessment formula and failed to explain the method used to reach the findings.

"People on the street have asked me why I represented a mentally unstable person. We are requesting for a further examination," the court was told

The defence requested that a proper and detailed mental examination be carried out, saying the accused should have been observed several times over specific periods to determine his mental state conclusively.

They further told the court that both officers at the remand facility and members of the public had raised concerns about Kalombotole’s mental stability.

In light of the objections, the court said it would deliver a ruling on whether Kalombotole should undergo another mental examination. The ruling is set for October 22.