The Kibera High Court is considering sending Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) murder suspect Kennedy Kalombotole to South Africa for further psychiatric assessment.
The court made the comment after it was presented with conflicting psychiatric reports on Kalombotole's mental condition, with one assessment declaring him unfit to practice law while another finding him fit to stand trial.
The KNH murder case relates to alleged incidents that took place in February and July 2025, where the suspect was arrested in connection with the death of two patients at the National Referral Hospital.
The case has since faced repeated delays due to medical evaluation and questions over his mental fitness.
The suspect has yet to enter a plea nearly a year after he was first convicted.
During proceedings on Thursday, the court said that one of the reports filed from Kenyatta National Hospital indicated that the suspect was mentally unwell and required long-term observation and treatment before he could be properly assessed.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) proposed that Kalombotole undergo a new examination before a three-member psychiatric panel at Mathari Hospital to conclusively determine whether he was mentally fit to stand trial.
The prosecution argued that it was necessary to conduct an independent and comprehensive assessment due to the contradictory medical assessments currently before the court.
The judge agreed with the motion, noting that the court could not proceed with the case when faced with inconsistent psychiatric findings.
The court said the suspect would need extended observation to enable experts to properly evaluate his mental state before any plea could be considered.
“He needs to be kept under observation for some time so that doctors can examine him properly,” the judge said.
The judge further said that if the three psychiatrists fail to reach a unanimous position regarding Kalombotole's mental fitness, the court may consider sending him out of the country for further evaluation, including to South Africa.
“If the three of us don't agree we will take him to South Africa,” said lawyers representing victims in the case. They supported the proposal for new psychiatric testing, but urged the court to ensure that the process is concluded without unnecessary delays.
Representatives of the victims told the court that conflicting reports had created uncertainty over the case.
The victims' lawyer said, “We pray for this case to be finalized. I have two contradictory reports now, one saying he is unfit and the other saying he is fit.”
The court directed that Kalombotole be examined by a psychiatric panel and the matter be mentioned on July 24, 2026, to review the findings and issue further directions.