The postmortem report of Dandora’s activist Caroline Mwatha after an almost dragged controversy in the death results and protest that even saw activist Winnie Obure get knocked down over by police car during a resistance commotion, has thrown the ball in the investigator’s court.
After revelation that indeed it was a botched abortion after autopsy,family pathologist Peter Ndegwa said the police need to establish whether the attempted abortion was voluntary or forced.
The report confirms DCI claims on Tuesday that Caroline died while undergoing an abortion at backstreet clinic in Dandora Phase 1. Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said the failed abortion was conducted at New Njiru Community Centre by Michael Onchiri alias Dr Mike and the owner of the clinic Betty Akinyi alias Betty Ramoya.
Family pathologist Ndegwa’s description of the injuries indicate Caroline died a painful death. The anatomical analysis, Ndegwa said, showed the foetus had come out of the uterus to the abdominal cavity where a lot of blood was found. Ndegwa said the uterus had been perforated at the back leaving “a very big gaping hole”.
“Therefore, what we are seeing is that somebody somewhere somehow attempted to either dismember the foetus or remove some parts.”
“This is where we need the police officers and other investigators to find out the circumstantial evidence. Was it done when she was conscious or unconscious?” Ndegwa asked.
Caroline’s family and the husband said her body and that of the foetus should be prepared and carried separately. Husband Joshua Ochieng appeared deflated and surprised by the autopsy report.
Kinoti said preliminary investigations showed Gitau was the father of the unborn child. The man lives in Isiolo. Police said he was in constant communication with Caroline and sent her Sh6,000 to be used for the “failed abortion”.