Autopsy on Julia Wangui inconclusive as pathologists seek more time

Wangui was arrested during the July 7 Saba Saba protests.[Courtesy]

Pathologists have requested two additional weeks to complete their analysis on the body of Julia Wangui, who allegedly sustained injuries while in police custody in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.

Lead government pathologist Peter Ndegwa said preliminary findings were inconclusive and further tests, including toxicology and histological analysis, are needed to determine the cause of death.

“We are not seeing direct injury to the head, therefore we are suspecting that the bleeding could be anything else. There are quite some links with other organs, the liver, the pancreas, the lungs, all have some issues, so we are going to look at them in more details, and then do toxicology to complete the whole thing,” Ndegwa said.

He added that the bleeding in the brain appeared non-traumatic and required further investigation to trace its source. “Within two weeks, we may be able to come back here and conclude that autopsy.” 

The pathologist also noted that a craniotomy had been performed to access and examine the brain, where the bleeding was identified.

Family spokesperson Susan Rienye said the family was satisfied with the preliminary findings and urged relatives to remain patient until the final report, expected on July 28.

“I concur with the findings of the doctors so far. We await the conclusive findings in two weeks. And I want to tell my family and everybody, let's wait for the results, because these people, they took long to go to school, and I don't think they have anything to hide,” said Rienye.

Wangui was arrested during the July 7 Saba Saba protests and allegedly sustained injuries while in custody. 

She died after collapsing at the Nanyuki GK Prison, where she was being held for failing to raise a Sh50,000 cash bail.