MOI REFERRAL HOSPITAL IMPOSES STRICT VISITOR LIMITS AFTER KNH MURDER INCIDENT

The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret has announced new safety measures, limiting patient visitors to two at a time. This move, effective from August 1, follows heightened national concern over hospital security, sparked by the recent killing of a patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.

In a public notice issued by MTRH, the institution cited Ministry of Health directives aimed at improving patient safety, hygiene, and overall hospital management. The hospital also revised its visiting hours, restricting access to two specific time windows: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

“These measures are designed to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for patients, staff, and visitors alike,” the hospital said in its announcement.

The new rules are part of a wider national effort to standardise visitor management in public hospitals and reduce congestion in wards. Previously, hospitals operated under flexible internal policies, with some permitting up to four or more visitors per patient without uniform enforcement.

MTRH, one of Kenya’s largest referral hospitals, serves the entire Western region and parts of the Rift Valley. Hospital officials affirmed that the institution remains committed to maintaining a high standard of care while also safeguarding public health and security.

The announcement comes just days after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held a crisis meeting with heads of referral hospitals. The emergency session was prompted by the murder of a young patient at KNH on July 11, 2025—a case that exposed glaring weaknesses in hospital security protocols.

CS Duale has since ordered the immediate implementation of tighter access controls in all public medical facilities. He said the Ministry is focused on restoring public confidence in the health system while preventing future security breaches.

Hospitals across the country are now expected to review their internal procedures to comply with the new national standards.