Patients escape from Mathari hospital

Thirty one patients are still missing after a daring escape from the country’s largest hospital that cares for the mentally ill.

The patients were among the 75 who escaped from a male ward at Mathari Mental Hospital on Sunday at 8.45pm.

Explaining the circumstances of the escape, Starehe police boss Samuel Anampiu said: “The patients started banging on the door leading to their dormitory before they broke it down and escaped through the ward’s main door.

“They threatened to stone the security guard, claiming the medicine that had been dispensed to them was ‘not working’ and they wanted their rights to be respected,” he said.
Appeared premeditated

Mr Anampiu, who said the escape appeared premeditated, added that all police stations had been informed and were tracking the patients.

He appealed to residents to assist by bringing back any patient they came across, saying they were not criminals and were no danger to the public.

Following the escape, seven of the patients were brought back by their relatives while two returned on their own.

As Mr Anampiu addressed the Press at the hospital another escapee, Mr Kevin Kemboi, was brought back from his South “C” home by a relative.

Monday, scores of patients milled outside a courtyard in the “civilian” male ward from where the 75 patients had escaped, with some sitting, others lying on the ground as yet others chatted.

A sole guard kept watch in the building, which is surrounded by grills and a wiremesh.

The escape appears to have been a result of a serious security lapse by the hospital administration.

When contacted, the medical superintendent, Dr Kisivuli Azenga refused to explain the circumstances surrounding the escape.

“I’m disgusted. I will not talk to the Press anymore as they came and turned my office into a studio,” an angry Dr Azenga retorted as he declined to answer questions.