DPP approves manslaughter charges against Body by Design clinic owners over woman’s death
Kananu died on October 6, 2024, following a botched operation at Omnicare Medical Limited, also known as Body by Design, located on Kabarsiran Avenue in Nairobi County.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has approved manslaughter charges against the proprietors of Body by Design clinic following the death of their client, Lucy Wambui Kananu.
Consequently, four suspects, Robert Maweu Mutula, a surgeon, George Wakaria Njoroge, Lilian Edna Wanjiru – the proprietor of Body by Design – are scheduled to take plea tomorrow at the Kibera Law Courts in Nairobi by 9am.
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The four are expected to face manslaughter charges.
They were initially scheduled to take their plea today (Tuesday) but missed the court appearance, prompting the court to reschedule the hearing for Wednesday.
Kananu died on October 6, 2024, following a botched operation at Omnicare Medical Limited, also known as Body by Design, located on Kabarsiran Avenue in Nairobi County.
News of her death caused heavy public outcry across the country.
The uproar led to a probe by the National Assembly's Health Committee that sought to find out if the clinic was operating legally and whether it was duly registered by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), in addition to a list of its services.
The clinic was closed shortly after the incident by both the Ministry of Health and the KMPDC for failing to meet minimum standards required for an operation, unlawfully operating a health institution without the necessary license, and not adhering to patient safety regulations, triggering a legal battle between the council and the clinic that also refuted claims of operating on the 47-year-old woman unprocedurally.
Medical reports showed that Kananu died due to complications reportedly stemming from cosmetic procedures performed at the facility.
The government equally launched a probe via the Directorate of Criminal Investigation's Homicide Unit, who scavenged for evidence at the hospital and summoned staff to record statements as the victim's family and friends vowed to push for justice.
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