DCI Investigates Death of Lawyer Following Botched Medical Procedure
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has opened an inquiry into the death of Nairobi-based lawyer Chris Mwendwa, following allegations of medical negligence at a private hospital in the South C area of the capital. The investigation comes amid growing public concern over patient safety and accountability within private healthcare facilities.
According to preliminary findings, Mwendwa visited the hospital on December 18, 2025, to undergo what his family described as a minor surgical procedure related to his digestive system. Relatives say he appeared healthy and in good spirits before heading to the facility.
Recounting their last interaction, Mwendwa’s brother told investigators that the lawyer had spoken to family members shortly before the procedure. “Christopher chatted with the rest of us and happily said he was rushing to the hospital,” he said.
However, events reportedly took a sudden turn later that day. The family was contacted by hospital staff and informed that Mwendwa had been admitted and that they needed to speak with him. At around 12:17 pm, a second call urged the brother to go to the hospital immediately, with staff indicating that the procedure had not gone as planned.
“When they called me, they just told me my brother was in the hospital and they wanted to talk to me,” the brother recounted. “The urgency in the second call is what alarmed us.”
Between 3 pm and 4 pm, the family and Mwendwa’s colleagues were informed that he had died. The Assistant Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Mwaura Kabata, said the news shocked both the legal fraternity and the family, adding that hospital officials were initially reluctant to provide a clear explanation of what procedures had been carried out.
“There was hesitation in giving details, which raised serious concerns for the family and the profession at large,” Kabata said.
The DCI has since identified and recorded a statement from the doctor who attended to Mwendwa. According to investigators, the doctor stated that after administering 22 millilitres of propofol, the patient’s blood pressure dropped significantly, his heart rate increased, and he developed breathing difficulties, leading to reduced oxygen levels in the blood.
A post-mortem examination conducted by a government pathologist reportedly indicated that Mwendwa may have received an overdose of propofol. A lawyer familiar with the autopsy findings said the report raised concerns about the accuracy and authenticity of some medical documentation issued by the hospital.
Investigators further revealed that during the course of treatment, the deceased had been administered amlodipine 5mg, hydralazine 25mg, and propofol 20ml. The combination and dosage of the drugs are now central to the ongoing probe.
Meanwhile, colleagues and family members have indicated their intention to pursue a civil suit for medical negligence against both the attending doctor and the hospital. “This is not just about one family. It is about accountability and patient safety,” one lawyer close to the case said.
The hospital has declined to release a detailed medical report, only confirming that Mwendwa died while seeking treatment at the facility. A medical officer stated that the hospital would issue a comprehensive report “at an appropriate time.”
The case unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of private health facilities. In 2025, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) closed or suspended several clinics for operating without valid licences or qualified personnel, particularly those offering invasive procedures.
The DCI has confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
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DCI Investigates Death of Lawyer Following Botched Medical Procedure
