Jeff Mwathi inquest: Court summons govt pathologist Peter Ndegwa to testify
A Nairobi court has summoned government pathologist Dr Peter Ndegwa and two others to appear and testify physically in the late Jeff Mwathi inquest on October 21, 2025.
Issuing the summons on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi stated that it is very important for the doctors who conducted the postmortem to take the stand and give their accounts.
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According to lawyer Duncan Okatch, representing Lawrence Njuguna, alias DJ Fatxo, the lawyers from both sides and the prosecution are in agreement on the importance of the pathologist’s presence in court.
He noted that, being the first pathologist who handled the deceased body, his findings are very important since at that time Mwathi’s body was still intact and had not been tampered with.
Additionally, lawyer Okatch stated that the second autopsy report indicated that the doctors could not find much because the body had already decomposed.
“So, the findings of this particular doctor and the exercise he conducted are very, very crucial not only to my client, but I believe to many of the clients being represented, but more importantly, even to the family. They had questions, and they felt that this doctor physically came and supported this report,” lawyer Okatch told the court.
Physical appearance
Further, he reminded the court that it had given earlier directions in terms of the importance of witnesses testifying physically, stating that even the prosecutor supported that it is important for them to take the witness stand.
Notably, lawyer Okatch told the court that he had been informed that the pathologist had not given any reason as to why he did not appear in court today.
He urged the court to revisit the earlier orders and summon the pathologist again to appear in court physically to testify and support his report.
“So, it is my humble request or application to this court to review those orders. This is a government employee paid by the government, I was informed, and I hope it was correct that no reason was even placed as to why he can’t come today, no reason whatsoever,” lawyer Okatch stated.
Magistrate Ndombi adjourned the hearing, stating that the matter is of public interest and thus the pathologist needs to attend court in person.
“Owing to the fact that it is a public interest suit, the same will be adjourned. I appreciate the fact that the prosecution had availed two witnesses, and the defence was all ready to proceed, but given all circumstances and explanations, the case will be adjourned for today to enable all parties to have proper representation,” Magistrate Ndombi ruled.
“I further direct Dr Ndegwa to attend court physically,” Magistrate Ndombi directed.
