The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Sunday
clarified the whereabouts of a bullet recovered during the treatment of a
patient who was injured in a shooting incident in Gikomba, Nairobi.
The hospital said the bullet recovered during the patient’s treatment was retained and preserved as part of the relevant medical and evidentiary records.
“The Hospital wishes to clarify that the bullet/projectile recovered during medical management was retained and preserved as part of the relevant medical and evidentiary records,” read a statement in part.
The clarification came after, on Monday, August 3, a bullet passed through the body of Moreen Nduku and struck 16-year-old Abdala Lihan, lodging in his leg.
Moreen, a mother of one, died on Friday at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after four days of treatment.
According to initial reports, the bullet removed from Abdala’s leg had mysteriously disappeared, while the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating the matter.
KNH, however, said the recovered bullet was handled in accordance with established medical and investigative procedures.
“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 said.
Human rights activists have protested the handling of the matter. The family alleges that the bullet removed from Abdala’s leg had mysteriously disappeared.
Police and the Independent Policing Oversight
Authority (IPOA) are investigating the incident.
On Monday, August 3, 44-year-old Nduku and Abdala
were at Gikomba Market on routine errands.
Police officers who were pursuing phone thieves fired shots into the air. Some of the bullets hit the two victims.
X-ray images confirmed the bullet pierced Moreen before lodging in Abdala’s leg. Nduku was rushed to the ICU, where she succumbed on Friday after four days.
According to police, the incident occurred near Daraja Ndogo Bridge after officers on patrol responded to reports that a gang of about seven armed robbers was terrorising traders and members of the public at about noon.
Police said the officers found the suspects robbing members of the public of their valuables and fired a warning shot into the air.
The suspects allegedly responded by firing indiscriminately as they fled the scene, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire.
During the incident, two people sustained gunshot injuries.
One of them suffered gunshot wounds to the left buttock and lower abdomen while the second one was shot in the right thigh.
The two were rushed to Pumwani Majengo Health Centre, where they received first aid before being referred to Kenyatta National Hospital.
Police officers who visited the scene recovered a pistol magazine loaded with two rounds of ammunition, which has been retained as an exhibit.
Nduku died in hospital.
No arrests were reported immediately following the
incident.
Police have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
