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Three nurses in court for abetting escape of 81 Mathari Hospital patients


Three nurses have been charged with facilitating the escape of 81 mental patients from Mathari Hospital.

The nurses, Isaac Karanja Maina, Jacqueline Rebecca Aloo and Jackline Obonyo were arraigned before a senior principal magistrate Martha Mutuku.

The escapees made their way out of the national teaching and referral hospital wards after the three nurses allegedly unlocked the padlocks of entrance gates to the wards. The patients allegedly escaped on June 16.

The three nurses, who are said to have been among those participating in a national strike, all denied the charge filed against them of recklessness and negligence.

CASH BAIL

The prosecution, led by Solomon Naulikha, stated that the conduct of the three nurses allegedly exposed the lives of the patients to harm.

“These patients posed a danger to the general public since they have mental issues,” said Mr Naulikha.

He added that also the public would have hurt the patients in retaliation of any form of attack.

Mr Naulikha, however, did not oppose the suspects plea to be admitted to bond, saying the prosecution will avail witness statements to the accused persons to prepare their defence.

The court released each of the accused persons on a cash bail of Sh200,000 and the magistrate ordered the case against the suspects be mentioned in a fortnight for further directions.