A Nairobi court has ordered government pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa to appear and testify physically in the ongoing inquest into the death of interior designer Jeff Mwathi.
The summons, issued on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, by Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi, directed Dr. Ndegwa and two other doctors who conducted the postmortem examinations to take the witness stand on October 21, 2025.
Magistrate Ndombi stressed that their presence in court is critical given the public interest surrounding the case.
Lawyer Duncan Okatch, who represents musician Lawrence Njuguna alias DJ Fatxo, underscored the importance of Dr. Ndegwa’s testimony.
He noted that Dr. Ndegwa was the first pathologist to examine Mwathi’s body while it was still intact. According to Okatch, his findings carry significant weight, unlike the second postmortem, which was inconclusive due to decomposition.
“The findings of this particular doctor and the exercise he conducted are very, very crucial not only to my client but also to other parties and more importantly to the family. They had questions, and they feel that this doctor should come physically and support his report,” Okatch told the court.
Okatch further informed the court that Dr. Ndegwa had not provided any reason for his absence during Tuesday’s session. He urged the magistrate to enforce earlier directions requiring key witnesses to testify physically.
“This is a government employee paid by the government. I was informed that no reason was even given as to why he couldn’t come today none whatsoever,” he added.
Magistrate Ndombi adjourned the hearing, noting that although two witnesses had been lined up and both the prosecution and defence were ready to proceed, the matter could not continue without the pathologist
“Owing to the fact that it is a public interest suit, the same will be adjourned… I further direct Dr. Ndegwa to attend court physically,” the magistrate ruled.
The inquest, which seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding Mwathi’s death, will resume on October 21, 2025
