A postmortem examination is today expected to be conducted on the body of renowned gynaecologist Dr Job Obwaka, as detectives intensify investigations into his sudden death.
The examination is expected to establish the cause of death and guide the next phase of the probe, which police have described as a matter of public interest.
Detectives are also pursuing toxicological analysis following the recovery of several items from the home of Beatrice Wangari, the woman who was reportedly with Dr Obwaka shortly before he fell ill.
The postmortem comes a day after a Kibera court allowed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to hold Wangari for 10 days as detectives complete investigations into the death. The DCI had sought 14 days, but Kibera Deputy Registrar Barbara Akinyi granted the state 10 working days and directed that Wangari be detained at Kilimani police station.
The court was told that investigators needed more time to complete key aspects of the probe, including the postmortem, analysis of items recovered from Wangari’s house, and further witness interviews. The matter is expected to return to court after the expiry of the detention period.
According to information presented in court, detectives recovered items including wines, plates, a spoon, a water glass and assorted drugs from Wangari’s residence. These items are expected to be subjected to analysis by the government chemist as investigators seek to establish whether Dr Obwaka may have been poisoned.
Police say Wangari was the last person known to have been with the veteran doctor before he was taken to hospital. Court filings indicate that Dr Obwaka had visited Wangari at her residence in Kitengela, where the two reportedly shared a meal before he developed complications while resting in the house.
Wangari is reported to have sought help from a neighbour after noticing that Dr Obwaka had become unresponsive. Emergency responders were later called to the house, where they found the doctor in distress. He was evacuated to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
During Monday’s court proceedings, the prosecution argued that Wangari’s continued detention was necessary not only to allow investigations to proceed, but also because of the public attention the case has attracted. The court was told that releasing her at this stage could expose her to danger.
Wangari has not been charged with murder. She is being held as police conclude investigations and await the postmortem findings, which are expected to clarify whether Dr Obwaka died from natural causes, poisoning or another medical emergency.
Dr Obwaka, a respected obstetrician and gynaecologist, was widely known in Kenya’s medical circles and had served in senior leadership, including as former chairperson of the Nairobi Hospital board.
His death has drawn public attention, with investigators now working to reconstruct his final hours and determine whether any criminal culpability was involved.
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