Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Davji Atellah, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, questioned the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) decision for the immediate closure of Chiromo Hospital Group’s Braeside branch in Nairobi after a shocking death incident at the facility.

An autopsy report disclosed that a patient, Susan Njoki, was strangled to death at the facility, prompting KMPDC to order the immediate closure.

In the letter, KMPDC directed the facility to transfer all the patients within 24 hours, citing a further report that indicated the possible involvement of a staff member in the death of Njoki.

Davji concerns

In a statement, Davji wondered why such a decision had never been taken against Kenyatta National Hospital despite the facility recording two murder cases in 2025.

Gilbert Kinyua was murdered in February 2025 in Ward 7C, while Edward Maingi Ndegwa was found murdered on July 17, 2025, in Ward 7B.

Davji thus argued that the orders pointed at inconsistencies and bias from the regulator.

“The KMPDC’s swift, drastic action against @ChiromoHospitals branch highlights a troubling bias and inconsistency in regulation. When alleged murders and negligence occurred at KNH, where patients throats were slit twice, we didn’t see calls for patient evacuation or immediate closure,” the statement read in part.

Dangerous precedent

According to Davji, KMPDC orders could set a dangerous precedent in the country. He thus called on the regulator to make informed decisions instead of rushing to issue such orders.

“This immature, reactionary approach sets a dangerous precedent. We need effective, equitable and not emotional regulation. Where do they expect the evacuated patients to go?” He posed.

Njoki’s death

An autopsy conducted by six pathologists confirmed that Njoki was killed approximately four hours after her last meal last on Tuesday, a day after she was admitted to the facility without her consent.

The late Njoki, who had a history of mental health treatment, had alleged on social media that her husband, Alloise Ngure, sent four doctors to inject her and take her to a mental facility against her will.