Crisis at Kenyatta National Hospital: Senators Demand Action on Overcrowding and Security Failures
Quote from Lawyer on September 26, 2025, 10:03 amKenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya's premier national referral hospital, is under intense scrutiny as concerns mount over declining safety standards, failing healthcare services, and critical operational lapses. On Thursday, September 25, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah called on the Senate's Standing Committee on Health to push the Ministry of Health (MoH) for immediate action to address these pressing issues, which have led to a significant erosion of public trust in the institution.
The senator urged the committee to deliver a comprehensive report detailing why essential medical services, including CT scans, dialysis, and radiotherapy, are either unavailable or malfunctioning. He stressed the need for clear strategies to maintain hospital equipment and hold leadership accountable for ongoing service delivery failures. The hospital's deteriorating condition has forced many patients to seek care at private facilities, a trend that undermines KNH's role as the cornerstone of Kenya's public healthcare system.
The situation at KNH has reached a critical point, with reports of unhygienic conditions, overcrowded and poorly ventilated wards, long queues at essential service points, and inadequate facilities for persons with disabilities. Compounding these challenges is a troubling lack of security, with two murders reported within the hospital wards over the past six months. These incidents have heightened fears among patients and staff, prompting calls for stronger oversight of hospital management and security personnel.
Senator Omtatah emphasized the need for the MoH to work closely with the Social Health Authority to ensure seamless operations at KNH and other referral hospitals across the country. He advocated for robust measures to address systemic issues, including improved maintenance of critical medical equipment and enhanced accountability for hospital leadership to prevent further decline in service quality.
These concerns follow closely on the heels of reforms announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a visit to KNH on July 28. The reforms were introduced in response to the same security lapses that led to the two murders within the hospital. The measures include installing CCTV cameras, limiting patient visitors to two at a time, enforcing mandatory visitor screening, and conducting regular safety inspections. Additionally, hospitals were directed to implement anonymous feedback systems and provide staff training on patients' rights and safety protocols.
To address the issue of abandoned patients, the Ministry of Health instructed facilities to collaborate with the Ministry of Interior, local chiefs, and community leaders to trace families, arrange dignified discharges, and place patients in appropriate care institutions when reintegration is not feasible. The goal is to ensure that vulnerable patients receive proper care and support, preventing neglect within the healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the lives, rights, and dignity of all patients. However, with ongoing challenges at KNH, including equipment failures, overcrowding, and security breaches, the pressure is mounting for swift and effective action to restore the hospital's reputation as a beacon of quality healthcare in Kenya. The Senate's Standing Committee on Health is now tasked with ensuring that these issues are addressed promptly to prevent further tragedies and uphold the hospital's critical role in the nation's healthcare landscape.
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya's premier national referral hospital, is under intense scrutiny as concerns mount over declining safety standards, failing healthcare services, and critical operational lapses. On Thursday, September 25, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah called on the Senate's Standing Committee on Health to push the Ministry of Health (MoH) for immediate action to address these pressing issues, which have led to a significant erosion of public trust in the institution.
The senator urged the committee to deliver a comprehensive report detailing why essential medical services, including CT scans, dialysis, and radiotherapy, are either unavailable or malfunctioning. He stressed the need for clear strategies to maintain hospital equipment and hold leadership accountable for ongoing service delivery failures. The hospital's deteriorating condition has forced many patients to seek care at private facilities, a trend that undermines KNH's role as the cornerstone of Kenya's public healthcare system.
The situation at KNH has reached a critical point, with reports of unhygienic conditions, overcrowded and poorly ventilated wards, long queues at essential service points, and inadequate facilities for persons with disabilities. Compounding these challenges is a troubling lack of security, with two murders reported within the hospital wards over the past six months. These incidents have heightened fears among patients and staff, prompting calls for stronger oversight of hospital management and security personnel.
Senator Omtatah emphasized the need for the MoH to work closely with the Social Health Authority to ensure seamless operations at KNH and other referral hospitals across the country. He advocated for robust measures to address systemic issues, including improved maintenance of critical medical equipment and enhanced accountability for hospital leadership to prevent further decline in service quality.
These concerns follow closely on the heels of reforms announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a visit to KNH on July 28. The reforms were introduced in response to the same security lapses that led to the two murders within the hospital. The measures include installing CCTV cameras, limiting patient visitors to two at a time, enforcing mandatory visitor screening, and conducting regular safety inspections. Additionally, hospitals were directed to implement anonymous feedback systems and provide staff training on patients' rights and safety protocols.
To address the issue of abandoned patients, the Ministry of Health instructed facilities to collaborate with the Ministry of Interior, local chiefs, and community leaders to trace families, arrange dignified discharges, and place patients in appropriate care institutions when reintegration is not feasible. The goal is to ensure that vulnerable patients receive proper care and support, preventing neglect within the healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the lives, rights, and dignity of all patients. However, with ongoing challenges at KNH, including equipment failures, overcrowding, and security breaches, the pressure is mounting for swift and effective action to restore the hospital's reputation as a beacon of quality healthcare in Kenya. The Senate's Standing Committee on Health is now tasked with ensuring that these issues are addressed promptly to prevent further tragedies and uphold the hospital's critical role in the nation's healthcare landscape.