A Nairobi court has directed government pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa and two other medical practitioners to physically appear and testify in the ongoing inquest into the death of Jeff Mwathi. The court emphasized the importance of their testimony, noting that the case has attracted significant public interest.
The summons were issued after the court was informed that Dr. Ndegwa, who conducted the initial postmortem examination, had not appeared to give evidence as earlier directed. The presiding magistrate highlighted that the findings of the first postmortem are central to the inquest, especially since Mwathi’s body was still intact during the initial examination. This makes Ndegwa’s testimony particularly critical to the case.
Lawyers representing different parties in the matter, including those acting for DJ Fatxo, reiterated that the presence of the pathologist is essential. They stressed that the first autopsy report carries more weight compared to the second, where doctors found it difficult to make comprehensive findings due to the body’s decomposition.
The legal teams emphasized that the testimony would not only help clarify medical findings but also address lingering questions raised by Mwathi’s family. They maintained that physical testimony would strengthen the transparency of the proceedings, allowing the pathologist to respond directly to questions in court.
The court was reminded of its earlier directive that witnesses in this case should testify physically rather than virtually. It was also noted that no formal explanation had been provided for Dr. Ndegwa’s absence. Counsel urged the court to reinforce its orders to ensure compliance, emphasizing that as a public officer, the pathologist was obligated to appear when summoned.
In response, the magistrate ruled that the hearing be adjourned to a later date to ensure all parties, including the crucial witnesses, are properly represented. A new hearing date has been set for October 21, 2025, when Dr. Ndegwa is expected to take the stand.
The inquest into Jeff Mwathi’s death continues to draw widespread public attention, with many awaiting the outcome of the medical testimony to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the young man’s demise.
