The High Court has deferred the plea taking of Kennedy Kalombotole, who is accused of butchering two patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, after his defence team objected to a medical report declaring him fit to stand trial.
Lawyers representing Kalombotole told the court that the report was shallow and incomplete, failing to show how and when the accused was examined. They argued that the conclusions did not follow the proper medical assessment formula and lacked an explanation of the methodology used. One of the defence lawyers said, “People on the street have asked me why I am representing a mentally unstable person. We are requesting for a further examination.”
The defence insisted that Kalombotole should undergo a proper and detailed mental evaluation, noting that such an assessment ought to be carried out through repeated observation over specific periods to determine his mental state conclusively. They added that both officers at the remand facility and members of the public had raised concerns about his stability.
In light of the objections, the court said it would issue a ruling on whether the accused should undergo another mental examination. The ruling is scheduled for October 22.
