Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has moved to dispel claims that a bullet recovered from a patient treated at the facility went missing, insisting the item was carefully preserved for medical and legal purposes.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, August 9, and signed by Dr. Joel Lessan, Senior Director of Clinical Services, the hospital said it had taken note of media reports questioning the whereabouts of the bullet recovered during treatment.
“The bullet/projectile recovered during medical management was retained and preserved as part of the relevant medical and evidentiary records,” the statement read.
The clarification follows reports that a bullet removed from the leg of 16-year-old Abdala Lihan had disappeared after his treatment at KNH. Lihan was struck by the same bullet that killed Moreen Nduku, a mother from Pipeline estate, who was fatally shot by a police officer at Gikomba market. Nduku succumbed to her injuries on Friday after four days of treatment at the hospital.
Reports further allege that officers attached to Shauri Moyo Police Station had been present near the ward where Lihan was recovering, repeatedly inquiring about his scheduled theatre visit, raising suspicion of an attempted cover-up.
KNH maintained that recovered items such as bullets are not discarded but handled strictly according to established medical and legal protocols.
“In accordance with established procedures, such recovered items are handed over to investigating officers through the appropriate judicial and investigative process for further handling and forensic examination,” the hospital stated.
The hospital also pledged full cooperation with ongoing investigations, saying it remains ready to release any information or records requested through proper channels.
Rights groups, including VOCAL Africa, have questioned the silence of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) since the incident came to light, adding pressure on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the handling of evidence.
The case has renewed scrutiny of police conduct during operations in informal settlements, with families of victims demanding accountability. As investigations continue, attention now turns to whether the bullet’s forensic examination will shed light on the officer’s actions and support the pursuit of justice for Nduku’s family.
