Postmortem Links Njoro Girls Student Akinyi’s Death To Delayed Treatment

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Njoro Girls High School student Brenda Akinyi died from an acute condition that could have been managed with immediate medical attention, a post-mortem examination has revealed.

The 18-year-old Form Four student died at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital from complications suspected to be cerebral malaria, a severe form of malaria that affects the brain, causing swelling, seizures and potentially coma.

Regional foresnsic pathologist Titus Ngulungu said the examination found no signs of physical trauma. Her lungs, however, were severely congested with fluid, indicating a serious medical emergency.

“We saw that her lungs were swollen. Her lungs were congested, or she had blood in them,” Dr Ngulungu told journalists at the mortuary on Tuesday evening after conducting a postmortem, witnessed by police and family members.

The pathologist noted that Brenda’s body showed signs of cyanosis—a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood.

The examination also revealed that she was dehydrated. Further tests showed increased intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull), which points to a brain infection.

“In conclusion, we saw that the cause of her death was a brain infarction. She was in a very bad condition because of the congestion in her lungs,” Dr Ngulungu said.

Brain infarction occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. This can happen when infections like malaria cause swelling and inflammation in the brain.

The pathologist said Akinyi had acute febrile illness, which is a sudden condition causing high fever that develops rapidly, usually within days.

“We will continue to examine her lungs to see what kind of acute febrile illness it was. But if we were asked, we would say that it was cerebral malaria,” he explained.

Family pathologist Dr Wangari Wambugu concurred with the findings.

She said the student had pulmonary edema, a condition where excess fluid accumulates in the lungs, making breathing difficult and preventing oxygen from reaching the bloodstream.

“She had increased intracranial pressure and there was pulmonary edema. All those point to a very acute illness,” Dr Wambugu said.

The pathologist emphasised that such conditions develop rapidly, often within just a few days. This makes early detection and treatment critical for survival.

“If you give the treatment at the right time, then you’ll be able to manage the condition,” she said while stressing that stressed that with proper and timely medical intervention, Akinyi’s condition could have been reversed.

The family’s pathologist said additional tests would be conducted to definitively determine the underlying cause. However, all evidence pointed to malaria as the most likely culprit.

Family spokesman, Apostle Gideon Luvisia said the post-mortem results have brought closure following days of tension. There had been a standoff between the school and angry members of the public.

“Now things are out, and the doctors, the pathologists have spoken, and it’s very clear,” Mr Luvisia said at the mortuary on Tuesday where he announced the beginning of burial plans.

There had been intense public scrutiny and protests at Njoro Girls High School after news of Akinyi’s death spread on Monday. Parents and residents demonstrated outside the institution, demanding accountability.

Residents who joined the protests alleged that Brenda’s death was not isolated. They claimed three other students died at the school in 2023 under similar circumstances.

In March 2023, Whitney Njoki, a Form One student, died at Njoro Sub- County Hospital after falling ill at the school. Her family also raised questions about delayed medical attention.

Akinyi’s family also accused the school of negligence, claiming she didn’t receive prompt care despite being ill for three days. Police dispersed angry crowds, and the school closed indefinitely pending investigations.

Her brother, Allan Otieno, discovered Brenda was sick when he visited the school. Fellow students told him she had been ill for three days but was only given painkillers, referring to ibuprofen, a common painkiller.

“They delayed in calling me to take my daughter for urgent medical attention. She is gone and will not come back,” said Akinyi’s mother, Millicent Anyango, tearfully adding that she was not contacted despite living just a few kilometres from the school.

However, following the post-mortem, the family has called for reconciliation. Mr Luvisia said Njoro Girls High School had pledged to support Brenda’s burial. He said the school had explained that they acted when they could. The family has accepted to work together for Brenda’s burial.

He appealed to members of the public who had protested to stand down. While acknowledging their concerns, he urged them to allow the family to proceed peacefully with burial arrangements.

The family faces funeral expenses of Sh500,000. Mr Luvisia said fundraising efforts had been hampered by the protests and security concerns. The family has set up paybill number 522533, account number 5841226, for well-wishers who wish to contribute.