By Andrew Kariuki

Beatrice Wangari, the woman being held in connection with investigations into the death of Nairobi Hospital director Dr. Job Lukuru Obwaka, has moved to the High Court seeking to be released from custody after post-mortem findings reportedly indicated the veteran gynecologist died from natural causes.

Through her lawyer, Levy Munyeri, Wangari filed an urgent application at the High Court in Kibera challenging an earlier order that allowed detectives to detain her for ten days pending investigations into the circumstances surrounding Dr. Obwaka’s death.

In the fresh application, the defence argues that the basis upon which investigators obtained custodial orders has now been overtaken by events following the release of the post-mortem report.

According to the court filings, Wangari contends that medical findings confirmed Dr. Obwaka died from cardiac arrest associated with underlying heart complications and not poisoning as initially suspected by investigators.

Her legal team argues that there is currently “no direct link established between the applicant and any criminal conduct,” insisting that continued detention is unlawful and unjustified.

Dr. Obwaka died on May 1, 2026, after he was rushed to Nairobi Hospital for treatment.

Following his death, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations launched investigations into suspected poisoning and subsequently arrested Wangari as part of the inquiry.

She was later arraigned at the Kibera Law Courts, where investigators successfully sought orders detaining her for ten days to allow completion of investigations, including toxicology analysis and post-mortem examinations.

However, Wangari’s lawyers now argue that the magistrate issued the detention orders before crucial medical evidence had been established.

The defence maintains that no post-mortem examination had been conducted at the time the custodial orders were granted and that investigators relied on incomplete information to justify continued detention.

A post-mortem examination later conducted on May 5, 2026, at Lee Funeral Home reportedly concluded that Dr. Obwaka died from cardiac arrest linked to pre-existing heart conditions.

According to the defence, the findings were reached in the presence of senior government pathologists, including the Chief Government Pathologist, with no evidence allegedly pointing to poisoning.

In her affidavit, Wangari argues that waiting for toxicology results is unnecessary because the cause of death has already been medically established.

She further states that the next mention date scheduled for May 14, 2026, is too far away considering the new developments surrounding the case.

Her lawyers now want the High Court to revise or set aside the earlier detention order and release her on reasonable bail terms pending any further investigations.

Police records filed in court indicate that Dr. Obwaka’s body was formally identified by his son, Dr. Christopher Obwaka, and his wife, Everrose Obwaka.

The High Court is now expected to determine whether Wangari’s continued detention remains lawful in light of the post-mortem findings