The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has ordered the immediate closure of Chiromo Group of Hospitals’ Braeside branch and the evacuation of all patients within 24 hours. This decisive action follows the death of Toto Touch CEO, Susan Kamengere Njoki, under suspicious circumstances shortly after her admission to the facility on July 14.

In a formal directive issued on Thursday, KMPDC cited fresh findings related to Njoki’s death and demanded the hospital cease all clinical operations immediately. The council also instructed the hospital to submit comprehensive documentation, including the post-mortem report, full medical records, and any other relevant files to aid in the ongoing investigation.

A post-mortem conducted by government pathologist Dr. Peter Ndung’u confirmed that Njoki died of hypoxia caused by manual strangulation. “There were clear features of compression to the neck,” Dr. Ndung’u stated, adding that Njoki appeared to have died approximately four hours after her last meal, with food contents still present in her stomach.

While additional medical indicators linked to a pre-existing condition were noted, the fatal injuries were confirmed to have occurred while Njoki was under hospital care. The incident has sparked widespread public concern, with Njoki’s family now calling for toxicological tests to further clarify the circumstances of her death.

KMPDC emphasized its commitment to patient safety and accountability, directing Chiromo Hospital to provide a detailed corrective action plan to prevent future incidents. Investigations by both police and KMPDC officials remain ongoing, as attention intensifies on the hospital’s protocols and patient handling procedures.

This case marks a significant moment in Kenya’s healthcare oversight, highlighting the critical need for transparency and stringent adherence to medical standards.