Kiandutu Family Cries for Justice After Relative Is Burned at Thika Level 5 Hospital

A family from Kiandutu slums in Thika is crying for justice after their kin, Patrick Kinyanjui, 35, was badly burned while being held at Thika Level 5 Hospital.

Patrick was admitted to the hospital over a month ago with stomach problems and later underwent a successful surgery. But when he couldn’t pay the hospital fees, he was not allowed to leave.

His uncle, Kimemia Mungai, said they were shocked to receive news from a kind stranger visiting the hospital that Patrick had been burned badly.

“No one from the hospital told us. We heard it from someone else,” he said.

Sources say that Patrick had attempted to escape by climbing the hospital fence. However, he was caught and in a shocking turn, a hospital worker is said to have poured a a corrosive chemical on him, causing second-degree burns from his neck to his waist.

The family says a medical report shows that Patrick suffered 20% burns and readmitted at the same hospital. Without informing the family, the hospital management moved him to a different wards, sparking even more suspicion and anxiety among them.

Patrick’s sister, Jane Muthoni, cried as she spoke. “We are orphans. We don’t have money or power to fight this. My brother has already suffered so much. His wife left him when their baby was just six months old. Now he’s going through this again?”

Another family member, Julius Karanja, called on the hospital to take full responsibility for what happened. He said the hospital must release CCTV footage to show what really happened and who was involved.

When contacted, the Thika Level 5 Hospital management declined to comment, instead referring journalists to the County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health in Kiambu, who has yet to respond to multiple calls and messages.

Thika Sub-County Police Commander, Lawrence Muchangi, confirmed that the incident had been officially reported.

“A team of detectives has already been dispatched to the hospital to collect statements and evidence. We are committed to finding the truth and ensuring justice is done,” he said.

The family is now calling on Governor Kimani Wamatangi and the Kiambu County Government, as well as human rights organisations, to urgently step in.

“This isn’t just about Patrick. It’s about every poor Kenyan who gets detained and mistreated because they can’t pay a hospital bill. We are asking for dignity, for accountability, and for justice,” said Muthoni.

As investigations continue, the case has sparked outrage in Kiandutu and beyond, raising fresh questions about the ethics, security and accountability in public health institutions.