A postmortem has established that 44-year-old Maureen Nduku died from complications linked to a gunshot wound she sustained in Gikomba, Nairobi.
Speaking after the autopsy on Tuesday, August 11, Nduku’s relative, Johnson Muema, explained that doctors found the bullet had entered her intestines, causing extensive internal injuries.
The damage allowed harmful bacteria to enter her bloodstream, triggering a severe infection that eventually spread to different parts of her body.
“The doctor has given us a report confirming that Maureen was indeed shot. He found that what led to her death was an infection caused after the bullet got into her intestines and released harmful bacteria into her bloodstream. The doctor said such a widespread infection is often difficult to stop,” he said.
The infection later affected several organs, including Nduku’s brain, before she died while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Nduku was shot on Monday, August 3, when police opened fire while responding to a reported robbery and disturbance in the Gikomba area.
Her family maintains that officers from Shauri Moyo Police Station were involved in the incident and is demanding a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The relatives have called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to undertake an independent and expedited probe, noting that a team from the authority was present during the autopsy.
They are also demanding the arrest and removal from duty of officers implicated in the shooting pending further investigations and appropriate action.
The family has further renewed its demand for authorities to establish the whereabouts of the bullet, arguing that the postmortem findings have reinforced their push for accountability.
Although the findings cannot bring Nduku back, her relatives have vowed to continue seeking justice over her death.
The family had previously disclosed that a police officer involved in the incident apologised, but maintained that an apology was insufficient and could not substitute accountability.
Nduku’s relatives are now preparing for her burial in Makueni County. Meanwhile, there is no fresh update on the condition of 16-year-old Abdala, who was reportedly admitted to KNH after being struck by the same bullet after it passed through Nduku.
