KNH murder suspect Kennedy Kalombotole has pleaded not guilty after a fresh mental assessment found him fit to stand trial, allowing the High Court to move forward with a murder case that had remained on hold for months because of conflicting psychiatric reports.
Kalombotole appeared before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza in Nairobi after the court received the findings of a panel of three doctors from Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital, who unanimously concluded that he was mentally fit to take a plea.
The latest assessment settled questions that had delayed the proceedings for more than a year after earlier psychiatric evaluations reached different conclusions about the accused's mental state.
After reviewing the report, Justice Kavedza read the murder charge to Kalombotole.
"That on or about February 6 and 7, 2025, at Kenyatta National Hospital Level 7B Ward within Nairobi County, you killed Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni," the judge stated.
Kalombotole denied the charge, paving the way for the case to proceed to a full hearing.
The prosecution told the court it plans to call about 20 witnesses to support the murder case. However, Justice Kavedza advised the State to consider reducing the number to about 16 witnesses to help the trial move more efficiently.
The hearing is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026. Prosecutors told the court that the pathologist who conducted the postmortem examination will be among the first witnesses to testify.
During the hearing, the court also recognised the interests of the victim's family and allowed their lawyer to file any concerns as the trial progresses.
Justice Kavedza further issued directions on the accused's welfare while in custody.
"Prison to ensure the accused is placed on a diabetic diet and to take his medication," the judge ordered, while directing both the prosecution and the defence to prepare submissions on Kalombotole's bail application.
The trial will now proceed with witness testimony and the presentation of evidence as prosecutors seek to prove the circumstances surrounding the death of Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni at Kenyatta National Hospital.