By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI, KENYA: Only six out of the 40 mental patients who escaped from the Mathari Mental Hospital in Nairobi are still at large.

Police and the hospital officials said on Wednesday most of the patients had voluntarily returned while others were being brought back by their parents and members of the public.

Members of the public for instance on Tuesday called police to pick up one of the patient from Umoja estate.

Starehe OCPD Samuel Anampiu said police were called and informed the patient had been detained there before they went to pick him up.

“Six patients are yet to report back and we appeal to the family and public at large to bring them back,” he said adding most of them had come voluntarily.

The hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Kisivuli Atzenga confirmed the return of the male patients.

“They were brought back but some are yet to come and we appeal to the parents of those still out there to bring them back,” said Atzenga.

Atzenga said none of those who escaped was a criminal or under police care. He said the wards that accommodate police and prisons cases are isolated.

He said they informed police as a procedure and because they have the network of tracing the missing patients.

The patients are among 40 who escaped from the facility on May 12 after a confrontation with cleaners and security.

Officials said the patients were among 75 who were locked in ward nine at the facility when they ganged up and bolted out.

Atzenga said the patients were incited by one of them who claimed the nurses were on strike before they overpowered the guard on duty and escaped.

He added the patients were angered after the attendants delayed in serving them and giving them medicine.

The official said the patients out there are not dangerous to the society but it is important for them to be returned to the facility so that they can finish their dose.

“They are not criminals or dangerous in any manner but they are supposed to be here. If anyone finds the patients in green uniforms he or she needs to inform police or bring them here,” said the medic.