The exhumation of Jeff Mwathi's body witnessed drama as investigators, police, family and friends clashed at the home of the late interior designer in the Likia area of Njoro sub-county, Nakuru on Friday March 31, 2023.
The first set of drama happened when police attempted to kick out the media as the exhumation exercise began.
When the media stood its ground, the investigators packed their tools, removed the cordons and ignited their vehicles ready to abandon the exhumation exercise.
The residents then blocked them and insisted that the exhumation and postmortem must be conducted as planned.
The investigating team which included government pathologist, Johansen Oduor resumed their work as the media and residents watched from a distance.
The second postmortem and analysis of Jeff Mwathi's body were conducted in a tent erected a few meters from his grave.
Residents and investigators once again clashed after the exercise was concluded. There was a confrontation after police refused to take Jeff Mwathi’s body to the mortuary before reburial.
Angry villagers opposed the reburial and caused a scene, prompting Jeff’s father and uncle Samidoh to address them. A sombre Samidoh refused a request to sing for the crowd.
Activists confrontational after police refuse to take Jeff Mwathi’s body to the morgue before reburial. pic.twitter.com/LTyuZTEi6k
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) March 31, 2023
Mwathi's body was eventually reburied shortly after the stalemate was resolved.
Postmortem results
The result of the second postmortem conducted on the body of the 23-year-old interior designer was released shortly after the exercise concluded.
The exam conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor established that Jeff Mwathi had severe head injuries. He also had fractures on the upper and lower limbs as well as on his neck.
It established that Mwathi died due to severe head and limb injuries. Oduor indicated that it will take at least three months to know whether the deceased was sexually molested or not.
"We have taken more samples to carry out a toxicology test and also to establish if he was sexually molested before he met his death," Oduor said.
Although the autopsy did not conclusively determine what caused his death, Oduor said he died largely because of the severe injuries he suffered.
