Police have launched an investigation into suspected poisoning following the sudden death of renowned gynaecologist Dr Job Obwaka. The veteran doctor and chairman at Nairobi Hospital passed away after visiting a woman named Beatrice Wangari at her home in Kitengela.
According to details shared in court papers, Dr Obwaka went to Wangari’s residence on May 1. The two shared a meal together. He then asked for water before heading to the bedroom to rest.
Wangari later joined him there, and the pair became intimate. During that time, the 83-year-old doctor collapsed and died on top of her. Investigators say he was found lying face up on the bed, unresponsive.
Wangari called a neighbour for help and then arranged for an ambulance. Dr Obwaka was rushed to Nairobi Hospital, the very place where he had served patients for many years, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
His passing has shaken the medical community, where he was respected for his long career helping women with reproductive health matters and mentoring younger doctors.
Police moved quickly after the incident. They arrested Beatrice Wangari, a 45-year-old woman, and took her in for questioning as the last person seen with the doctor.
She appeared in court on May 4, where detectives asked for more time to hold her while they complete their work. A judge granted them 10 days to continue investigations. Officers are treating the case as possible murder through poisoning.
Detectives recovered several items from Wangari’s house for testing. These include plates and spoons from the meal, a glass used for water, wine bottles, and some medicine.
All of it has gone to the government chemist for toxicology analysis. A postmortem examination on Dr Obwaka’s body is also scheduled soon to determine the exact cause of death. Samples taken during that process will help confirm if any poison was involved.
Friends and colleagues who knew Dr Obwaka describe him as a dedicated professional who spent decades in the operating theatre and teaching hospitals. He had recently been in the news for other reasons related to governance issues at Nairobi Hospital, but those who worked with him remember his commitment to patient care above all else. His family must now deal with both the grief of losing him and the difficult questions surrounding how he died.
The case has drawn plenty of attention across Kenya because of the doctor’s high profile. Many Kenyans who followed his career expressed shock when news of the death first broke.
Conversations in homes and online focus on how a simple visit for a meal turned into a tragedy. Some wonder about the circumstances, while others urge the police to work thoroughly and avoid rushing to conclusions before the tests return.
Beatrice Wangari remains in custody as officers piece together the timeline. In her statements to investigators, she has cooperated by explaining what happened that evening. The fact that Dr Obwaka had some known health conditions adds another layer that detectives must consider. They aim to eliminate natural causes while closely monitoring the possibility of poisoning.
Dr Obwaka drove himself to Kitengela that day for what seemed like personal business. What started as time spent with someone he knew ended in a medical emergency that took his life. Neighbours in the quiet Milimani Estate area say they were surprised by the ambulance and police activity at the residence.
Medical experts note that sudden collapses during physical activity can stem from various reasons, including heart problems common in older men. Yet the police’s focus on poisoning means they are checking every possibility.
The wine bottles and meal remnants suggest they are examining everything he consumed that day. Results from the lab could take time, but they will likely shape how the case proceeds.
For now, the medical fraternity mourns one of its own. Tributes continue to pour in for Dr Obwaka’s contributions to women’s health and his steady leadership at one of Kenya’s top private hospitals. His death leaves a gap that younger specialists will find hard to fill. At the same time, questions linger about the events in Kitengela.
Police say they will update the public once they have clearer findings from the postmortem and lab tests. Until then, the investigation remains active with Beatrice Wangari still helping them understand the full picture.
The coming days should bring more information as forensic work advances. Kenyans hope for clear answers that give closure to Dr Obwaka’s loved ones and respect the dignity of everyone involved.
