Activist bled to her death due to abortion, says Pathologist

Family pathologist Peter Ndegwa addresses press at Umash Funeral Home in Nairobi February 14, 2019. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

A postmortem examination conducted on human rights activist Caroline Mwatha on Thursday established that she died from bleeding due to a raptured uterus.

Dr Peter Ndegwa, the pathologist who represented the family during the autopsy, said that Mwatha had a male feotus that was between five to six months.

Dr Ndegwa said Mwatha over-bled, both internally and externally, the foetus was dismembered and part of the skull broken.

 "Somebody badly mutilated the foetus, there was no left upper rib," Ndegwa said.

 He added that there was no brain because it was sucked out and she had a lot of blood in the abdominal cavity. 

However, it was not established whether the procedure was willing or induced.

  But even with the findings, the human rights organisations have called for more investigations to ascertain the circumstances that led to her death.

More arrests

Meanwhile, two more suspects have been arrested in connection with death of human rights activist Caroline Mwatha.

Martin Mwangi Waithaka and Godfrey Otieno Ooko are believed to be the drivers of a vehicle that was said to have been used to ferry the deceased to the City mortuary.

The vehicle according to the detectives was impounded yesterday within Dandora area.

Six other suspects were arraigned in court on Wednesday for the case in which police were allowed 14 days to complete their probe.

In a sworn affidavit, Buru-Buru DCIO Chief Joseph Wanjohi asked the court for more time to allow his team of investigators to analyze suspect’s mobile phone data used during the time of incident.

The six suspects arraigned earlier are Michae Onchiri, Betty Akinyi Nyanya, Richard Ramoya Abudo, Alexandra Gitau Gikonyo, Stephen Maina and Georgia Achieng Tabitha.

Wanjohi told court that the suspects are flight risk and might interfere with investigations if released. He further requested that they should be placed in custody in different police stations only known their family members and legal counsel for their security.

 “I find that compelling reasons are adduced to warrant respondent’s detention in custody at a location determined by the DCIO and the family and the legal counsel to be informed of the location.” Ordered Makadar Chief Magistrate Heston Nyaga.