Nkaissery samples to undergo further tests locally and internationally

President Uhuru Kenyatta condoles Hellen Nkaissery, widow of the late Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery at their Karen home in Nairobi on 11th July, 2017.

It will take longer to establish what triggered the heart attack that killed Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

This was after a team of pathologists that conducted a post-mortem on the body on Monday decided to have the samples from the body tested and analysed separately.

The samples, his stomach contents, were divided into three. One sample will be sent to the Government Chemist for analysis, the second one will be sent out of the country for the same purpose, and the third one will be retained for reference purposes.

“After the tests, we will know the way forward. We will know what triggered the myocardial infarction (heart attack) that was found to have killed him,” said a close family friend.

“He suffered an acute heart attack occasioned by a compromised vessel taking blood to the heart,” Dr Bessie Byakika, who represented the family during the postmortem, said.

Dr Byakika said at this stage they have ruled out foul play even as investigations go on.

“There is no evidence of foul play at this stage, but further tests will be conducted to tell us more,” she added. The committee organising Nkaissery’s burial has cautioned Kenyans against ‘irresponsible speculation’ on the cause of his death.

The committee, which brings together government officials and family members, said it is concerned about alarming statements and comments being published on social media.

It said the comments injure the family, which is in a state of mourning.

Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu, who is chairing the committee, asked Kenyans to be sensitive in their statements.

“While we recognise that the Cabinet secretary’s sudden demise raised questions, we ask Kenyans to do so in a respectful and responsible manner,” he said.