Nurse accused of raping patient

PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | FILE A view of the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

What you need to know:

  • Couple accuses managers of Kenyatta and police of siding with suspect to defeat course of justice

A couple is crying for justice after their ailing daughter was allegedly raped by a medical worker at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The parents on Sunday claimed the nurse who committed the offence was still walking free and working at the hospital even after reporting the case to police.

“We have been pushing for the arrest and prosecution of the nurse, but in vain,” the mother said.

The patient was admitted to the hospital on April 10 with serious burns after a stove she was using to prepare supper exploded on her.

She was first taken to Murang’a District Hospital, but was later referred to Kenyatta after her condition became serious.

But on the night of June 7, salt was rubbed into her wounds after the nurse who was attending to her allegedly raped her.

The following day, the victim reported the matter to another nurse on duty, but instead of taking action, she immediately washed her — possibly to destroy evidence.

She later informed her mother after she waited for help in vain. The parent reported the matter to a senior nursing officer, who accompanied her to Kenyatta Police Post.

A police report seen by the Nation indicates that the case was reported on June 13. The couple from Kirinyaga accused the hospital management and police of plotting to deny their daughter justice.

“There was a deliberate plan to ensure that the evidence is erased and that was why our daughter was subjected to medical examination on June 12, long after she was sexually assaulted,” the father said.

A police officer, who identified himself only as Mr Rotich, denied the claims.

“We summoned the nurse immediately we received the report and released him on police bond,” he said.

At the hospital, the victim who appeared traumatised said she was sleeping on her bed when the suspect pounced on her. “I sensed danger when he unzipped,” she said as tears welled up in her eyes.