How medic found himself in missing hearts probe
What you need to know:
As he awaits trial for the Muumbo case, Dr Njue is also under investigation in another charge relating to the theft of a heart from Mr Benedict Karau revealed by the Sunday Nation.
Strikingly, both Mr Karau and Mr Muumbo died in 2015 and their relatives disagreed on their causes of death.
They insisted on post-mortem and Dr Njue was involved in both autopsies and it was later discovered that their hearts were missing.
Former chief government pathologist Moses Njue is a man on the spot after he was arraigned in court on Tuesday, accused of stealing a heart from a dead person.
Even though he denied three counts over the missing heart of Mr Timothy Mwandi Muumbo, questions linger about similar incidents in the past.
As he awaits trial for the Muumbo case, Dr Njue is also under investigation in another charge relating to the theft of a heart from Mr Benedict Karau revealed by the Sunday Nation.
Strikingly, both Mr Karau and Mr Muumbo died in 2015 and their relatives disagreed on their causes of death. They insisted on post-mortem. Dr Njue was involved in both autopsies and it was later discovered that their hearts were missing.
PATHOLOGIST REPORT
Mr Muumbo died in unclear circumstances on June 22, 2015 at his Dik Dik Gardens home in Kileleshwa while Mr Karau died on March 2, 2015 at his home in Meru.
Mr Muumbo’s body was taken to Lee Funeral Home. He was aged 83 years and his sons Jonstone Kassim Muumbo, Alex Munyasya and daughter Carolyne, suspecting foul play, sought the services of Dr Njue to conduct a post-mortem. Part of the agreement was that the pathologist was to release the report in two weeks, but he allegedly failed to do so until he was served with a demand letter from their lawyers.
Mr Karau is said to have died in his house while having supper. His youngest wife, Ms Martha Gakou, claimed he choked.
PRIVATE DOCTOR
His son Charles Mwongela asked for a postmortem to establish the cause of his death. The family was in agreement but Ms Gakou said she would sent a private doctor to represent her. She hired Dr Njue and the autopsy was performed at Consolata Mission Hospital in Nkubu 10 days after his death, according to a report prepared by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
For Mr Muumbo, the family would learn that the report Dr Njue submitted bore similarities to a report filed by the police and a report prepared by another doctor hired by a section of the family. The three decided to carry out another autopsy, but this time they procured the services of Prof Emily Rogena. However, the exercise could not proceed after it was discovered that vital organs, including the heart, were missing.
Dr Njue told the family the kidney and parts of the stomach were taken to the police, but he couldn’t account for the whereabouts of the heart. Angry, the family moved to court seeking orders that the pathologist produces the organs, which he had claimed were at the Government Chemist. Attempts by Prof Rogena to have him release the body parts failed. The hearing is set for June 20.
COURT ORDERS
In the case of Mr Karau, the family filed a complaint to the police and the matter was investigated by the DPP, who recommended that he be charged with stealing the heart.
However, before he could be arraigned in court, the pathologist rushed to the High Court and obtained orders stopping his planned arrest and arraignment in court, arguing that the case was instigated out of malice.
Justice Lucy Gitari granted him the orders but directed him to deposit bail of Sh200,000.
When he appeared in court he denied the offences he allegedly committed with his son Lemuel Anasha Mureithi, who has until July 3 to present himself to court.
