Lucy Wambui Ng'ang'a, a vibrant social media influencer and wife to prominent businessman Francis Ng'ang'a, had sought cosmetic enhancement at Body By Design, a clinic in Westlands, Nairobi.

What was supposed to be a transformation turned into a nightmare that ultimately claimed her life.

In a November 2024 interview, her grieving husband detailed her agonising final hours. "She called me as early as 7:00 AM, saying she wasn't feeling well. She told me to take care of the kids if she didn't make it," Francis recalled.

Wambui underwent a liposuction procedure at Omnicare Medical, the parent company of Body By Design, on October 14, 2024.

She was discharged on October 18, despite reportedly still being in pain. Shockingly, her condition deteriorated, and she suffered severe post-surgery complications, including a foul odour emanating from her wounds and excruciating chest pains.

Francis alleged that despite her worsening state, the clinic sent her home prematurely.

"They had pricked her stomach, leaving a hole big enough to fit a bottle. Faeces were leaking from it, and they claimed that was part of the healing process," he said.

Her health spiralled downward. Upon returning home, she collapsed within ten minutes.

Panicked, her family rushed her back to Body By Design, only to find the facility closed. "Blood was coming from her mouth and ears," Francis recounted.

Desperate, they took her to Nairobi Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery on October 23.

Doctors discovered multiple perforations in her intestines, an alarming complication that had gone unnoticed or ignored. Despite medical intervention, Wambui succumbed to extensive internal injuries on October 26, 2024.

Following the tragedy, Omnicare Medical released a statement expressing condolences but maintained that Wambui had been successfully discharged.

They announced an internal investigation into the circumstances of her death, promising transparency.

However, their words did little to quell public outrage. In the aftermath, authorities shut down Body By Design.

A Kibera court summoned the clinic's directors, George Wakaria Njoroge, Lilian Edna Wanjiru, and surgeon Robert Maweu Mutula, to face manslaughter charges.

However, they failed to appear in court, citing late summons. Their lawyers, Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, argued that the prosecution was unjustified, claiming Wambui had signed an informed consent form before the procedure.

Despite their legal manoeuvring, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) insisted that their prosecution was warranted after an investigation by the DCI.

A court directive has since mandated their in-person appearance for plea-taking.

As Wambui's family mourns her untimely passing, her case raises alarming questions about the safety and regulation of cosmetic surgery in Kenya.

The battle for justice continues, with many hoping that those responsible will be held accountable.