By John Mutiso
A postmortem has confirmed that Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism, Sonia Nzilani, died after fluid gathered around her heart, stopping it from working properly.
The examination on Monday showed she suffered cardiac tamponade, a condition caused when blood or fluid fills the sac around the heart and prevents it from pumping as it should.
Family doctor Ancient Kituku, who was present during the examination, explained that Nzilani’s heart “burst and leaked a lot of blood”, creating pressure that led to her death.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who received the results in the company of family members and investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, said the findings helped clear the many concerns raised since her sudden collapse.
“It was a sudden death, and we had several questions that we wanted answered,” Mutula said. “She had a mark on the head, which raised suspicions. On her face, you could see she was pale, like someone without enough blood.”
Doctors informed the family that Nzilani may have felt dizzy before she fell, which would explain the mark on her face. The governor noted that the findings assured the family that nothing criminal had happened.
“The family and DCI were here. There were many questions. I have been receiving a lot of calls from all over, and I am happy that we now have answers,” he said. “The family now has consolation that there was no foul play.”
Mutula also revealed that Nzilani had been living with a heart condition for more than ten years. “It was something she had been suffering from for the last 12 years,” he said.
Her death drew messages of sympathy from across the country, including from President William Ruto, who praised her service and her work in protecting the environment.
“Her commitment to public service and her passion for environmental conservation touched countless lives,” President Ruto said in a condolence message. “May her legacy encourage us all to work together for a greener and more prosperous future for Makueni and the nation.”
Nzilani took up the role of CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism in February 2024 after serving as county minister for Lands, Urban Planning and Development, Environment and Climate Change.
Her work also extended to regional roles. She chaired the Inter-County Planning Committee for the Konza Buffer Zone and led the Makueni County Environmental Committee.
Nzilani also founded the Kibwezi Centre for Sustainability in 2018, an organisation focused on environmental protection and supporting community resilience.
