A private hospital in Nairobi is still reeling in shock after gunmen stormed the facility on Monday night and roughed up patients.
Patients and workers at John Lee Hospital in Jericho near Shauri Moyo slum had their cash, mobile phones stolen by the gunmen. At the time of the attack, about 100 patients had been admitted.
According to the Star, one lone gunman went from ward to ward ransacking while another was stationed at the gate. Two others patrolled the hospitals’ precincts in the ordeal that lasted for 45 minutes.
The four gunmen who were also armed with swords gallantly walked out of the hospital and disappeared into the slums.
Patients and workers who spoke to police from Buru Buru Police Station said their men could not have been older than 30 years.
They are reportedly said to have arrived at the hospital in pairs just before 8pm. The two men who arrived first said they needed treatment and they were ushered into the reception while the other two got in claiming to visit a patient minutes after 8pm.
But they were stopped by security guards and told visiting hours were over. They drew their pistols and forced their way in.
The two other assailants who were at the reception locked up thee staff in one room and warned they would not hesitate to shoot anyone who defied their orders.
“The hospital went quiet when thugs threatened to shoot. All patients gave up cash and phones,” one of the patients told the Star.
Buru Buru DCI chief Jeremiah Ikiao said they have leads that will ultimately lead to the arrest of the gang.