Woman behind activist’s abortion is ex-convict in Deya case

Relatives Mourn after viewing Human Rights Activist Caroline Mwatha’s Body at City Mortuary on February 12, 2019. [David Gichuru/Standard]

The owner of a clinic where police claim a botched abortion that led to the death of a rights activist was carried out was jailed in 2005 over a scandal involving stolen babies.

Betty Akinyi Nyanya alias Betty Ramoya was convicted for helping register births of “miracle babies” who were stolen from their mothers and handed over to infertile couples in a case against Mary Juma Gilbert Deya.

Records show Akinyi, who was convicted by a Nairobi court on her own guilty plea, served six months at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison.

Yesterday, Akinyi was among six suspects arraigned in a Makadara court in connection with the death of Caroline Mwatha. The other suspects are Michael Onchiri, Richard Ramoya Abudo, Alexander Gitau Gikonyo, Stephen Maina and Georgia Achieng’ Tabitha.

Five of the suspects were arrested in Dandora area, where Mwatha is said to have visited a clinic to procure an abortion. Gitau was picked up in Archers Post in Samburu County.

Buru Buru DCI Joseph Wanjohi asked the court for more time to allow investigators to analyse the suspects’ mobile phone records.

Mr Wanjohi pointed out the need to analyse clothes worn by the accused during the time of the incident as well as conducting an identification parade.

Flight risks

He told court the suspects should remain in custody in different police stations within Buru Buru division, as they were flight risks and likely to interfere with investigations.

The DCI was allowed by the Makadara Chief Magistrate to detain the six for 14 days. The court also ordered that Akinyi be treated while in custody after she complained of arthritis and high blood pressure complications.

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti said the suspects were arrested in connection with Mwatha’s alleged botched abortion and disposal of her body at a city mortuary.

“The said woman was last seen on February 6 by her relatives. DCI officers launched investigations and it was established that Caroline was in constant communication with one Alexander Gitau Gikonyo, who is known to be working in Samburu County,” said Mr Kinoti.

Kinoti said there was communication between Mwatha and Gitau relating to the intended termination of a five-month pregnancy.

He said it was further established that an unidentified doctor had demanded a fee of Sh7,000 and after negotiations the cost was reduced to Sh6,000, which was sent to Mwatha by Gitau.

 

Kinoti said on February 6, Mwatha went to a clinic known as New Njiru Community Centre within Dandora Phase 1 to procure an abortion.

He said investigators believed that Mwatha died at the clinic before her body was taken to the Nairobi’s City Mortuary on February 7 at 4.42am.

“This is confirmed by records at the City Mortuary, although the deceased’s name was captured as Carol Mbeki under tag No 1495. Mortuary records also indicate the body was brought by a motor vehicle registration number KBP 677B,” he said.