NAIROBI — An autopsy conducted on Julia Wangui Kariuki, who died after being held at Nanyuki GK Prison following her arrest during the Saba Saba protests, has not determined a clear cause of death. Preliminary results show bleeding in her brain, but no signs of physical trauma.
The postmortem was led by pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa on behalf of the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU). He said the findings so far are inconclusive and that further tests are required to understand the cause of death.
“There is bleeding in the brain, but we did not find signs of injury or trauma that would explain it,” Ndegwa told reporters outside the mortuary. “We’ve also observed abnormalities in the lungs, pancreas, and liver. These could be contributing factors, but we need to study the organs histologically and complete toxicology analysis.”
Julia Wangui, also known as Njoki, collapsed at Nanyuki GK Prison on July 9. She had been detained after reportedly failing to raise bail following her arrest on July 7 during the Saba Saba demonstrations. She died at Nanyuki County Referral Hospital.
The autopsy also revealed that doctors at the hospital had performed a craniotomy, a surgical procedure to relieve pressure in the brain. Ndegwa said the autopsy team is still waiting to review surgery notes and other medical documentation from the hospital to complete their assessment.
“We plan to consult with the surgeons involved to better understand what they saw during the procedure,” he added. “We expect to release the final autopsy report by July 28.”
Family spokesperson Susan Rienye said the family accepted the initial findings and would wait for the final results. “We are satisfied with the transparency of the process so far. Our focus remains on the truth,” she said.
Wangui’s death has sparked outrage in her hometown of Likkii Estate. On Monday, residents marched through the streets, demanding answers and accountability.
Her case adds to rising public concern over alleged police misconduct during recent anti-government demonstrations. It comes just weeks after the reported death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Rights groups have condemned what they describe as a pattern of excessive force and questionable conduct by law enforcement, especially during the recent youth-led protests against government policies.
Police have not commented publicly on the circumstances surrounding Wangui’s detention or death. No officers have been suspended or arrested in connection with the case. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has not confirmed whether it has launched an investigation.
Wangui’s family is now preparing for her burial, but they remain focused on seeking justice. “We will not rest until those responsible are held to account,” Rienye said.
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