Memorial service held for Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha PHOTOS

Memorial service held for Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha  PHOTOS

Deceased activist Caroline Mwatha was on Thursday afternoon commemorated at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi.

The event was organized by Dandora Community Justice Centre and was attended by, among others, former Member of Parliament Martha Karua, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Rev. Timothy Njoya as well as activists Boniface Mwangi and Okiya Omtata.

The deceased’s father, Justus Mbai, praised her daughter’s efforts in fighting for the rights of young people especially from the slums. He, however, alluded to foul play in her death dismissing claims that Ms. Mwatha died as result of a botched abortion.

Speaking at the memorial service, ex- Chief Justice Willy Mutunga also rubbished the botched abortion narrative, further faulting the manner in which police conduct investigations in Kenya.

Ms. Mwatha, who went missing on February 6, 2019 and was found dead a week later at the Nairobi City Mortuary, is set to be buried on Friday February 22, 2019. 

According to Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti, Ms. Mwatha died following a botched abortion procedure at a clinic within Dandora Phase 1 in Nairobi on February 6, 2019 — the day she went missing.

Addressing the media at Umash Funeral Home on February 14, Dr. Peter Ndegwa said Ms Mwatha’s autopsy had revealed that she was “about 5 to 6 months pregnant with a male foetus.”

Her uterus was badly ruptured resulting to excessive bleeding, according to Dr. Ndegwa, who was representing the family.

The pathologist also stated that the deceased had no other physical injuries on the body besides the needle marks — ruling out any signs of struggle in the events leading to her death.

Six people have since been arrested, arraigned and are currently in police custody in connection with the activist’s death.

The six are; the clinic owner Betty Akinyi Nyanya alias Betty Ramoya, Richard Ramoya Abudo (son to Betty), Georgia Achieng Tabitha, Michael Onchiri alias Dr. Mike, Alexander Gitau Gikonya (boyfriend) and a taxi driver identified as Stephen Maina.

Kenyans gather during the memorial of Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU
Kenyans gather during the memorial of Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU

 

Kenyans gather during the memorial of Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU
Kenyans gather during the memorial of Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU

 

Former MP Martha Karua, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, former C.J Willy Mutunga, activist Boniface Mwangi joine Kenyans during the memorial service of activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park on February 21, 2019. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU
Former MP Martha Karua, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, former C.J Willy Mutunga, activist Boniface Mwangi joine Kenyans during the memorial service of activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park on February 21, 2019. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU

 

Kenyans gather during the memorial of Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU
Kenyans gather during the memorial of Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. PHOTO | ALLAN IRUNGU

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willy mutunga DCI George Kinoti Caroline Mwatha Dandora Community Justice Centre Freedom Corner memorial

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