Nurses protest arrest of two colleagues over patient’s death

Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako flanked by other union officials speaking in Kisumu [Photo:COLLINS ODUOR/Standard]

Two nurses and a support staff have been arrested over last November's incident in which a patient was murdered in his ward at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The officials were arrested after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions agreed with police recommendations that they be charged with murder over the mysterious killing of Comas Mutunga, 42, who was a cancer patient. The four were arrested on Friday and Saturday and police said they will take plea tomorrow.

But the nurses' union has criticised the arrests, terming them unfair and unlawful.

Yesterday, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) called for the resignation of KNH Chief Executive Officer Lily Koros, saying she should take full responsibility over the killing which occurred on November 29, 2015.

KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako said the two nurses should not be used as scapegoats, since their job description does not include  providing security.

He said the suspects were overwhelmed and unable to take care of all the 28 patients in that ward on the fateful night.

"There were 28 patients on that particular day in the ward against two nurses. That means 16 patients had no nurse to attend to them, since one nurse is supposed to serve six patients," said Panyako.

"The CEO must record a statement because she should take responsibility."

Mutunga was killed in his ward but no arrest was made then. A probe was launched and a file sent to the DPP with recommendations to charge the three with murder.

Those arrested were detained at Kilimani police station.

Last week, the Ministry of Health announced it would install CCTV cameras inside KNH as part of security measures following the Mutunga's brutal killing.

Makau Matheka, a representative from the ministry, told the National Assembly's Health Committee on Thursday that the cameras would be installed soon.

When the committee visited the hospital as part of the ongoing investigations on the death, Ms Koros said the hospital had already put in place measures to improve security.