A Kibera Chief Magistrates Court allowed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to detain a woman for 10 days pending investigations into the death of a 79-year-old retired doctor.
Beatrice Wangari will be held at Kilimani Police Station following a court ruling on Monday that partially allowed the DCI’s application for custodial detention.
The DCI had sought 14 days, but the court reduced the period to 10 days.
Wangari was arrested on May 1, after the death of Dr. Job Obwaka at her residence in the Milimani area of Kitengela.
According to an affidavit filed by Sgt. Rhoda Nzioka of the DCI’s Homicide Investigations Department, the deceased had driven from Nairobi to Kitengela earlier that day.
Nzioka allege that Wangari picked him up from a shopping mall in the area before taking him to her home.
The two are said to have shared a meal before the doctor retired to the bedroom, where Wangari later joined him.
Shortly afterward, the doctor reportedly developed complications and became unresponsive.
Wangari is said to have sought assistance from a neighbor, who found the man lying on a bed.
Emergency responders were called to the scene and rushed him to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police indicated that poisoning is among the lines of inquiry.
A search conducted at Wangari’s residence led to the recovery of several items, including used utensils, assorted medication, bedding, and partially consumed bottles of wine.
The items have been submitted for forensic analysis.
The incident was formally recorded at Kilimani Police Station, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for May 5, 2026.
Samples are expected to be forwarded to the Government Chemist for toxicological testing.
In seeking extended detention, the DCI argued that investigators required more time to complete inquiries, including awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results.
They also told the court that the case has attracted public attention and strong reactions, raising concerns over the suspect’s safety if released at this stage.
Dr Obwaka is remembered as a respected medical professional who dedicated decades of service to women’s health and medical leadership in Kenya.
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