Suicide or foul play? Postmortem delayed again in mysterious Makueni student’s death
Samuel Mwenda, whose son Martin Mugambi died in unclear circumstances at Miangeni International Schools in Makueni County, at Makindu Sub-county Hospital mortuary on February 14, 2025.
The mystery surrounding the death of a Form Two student at Miangeni International Schools in Makueni County deepened on Friday, February 14.
This is after the school and detectives postponed, for the second time, the postmortem examination, after rejecting a pathologist presented by the family.
Martin Mugambi is said to have drowned in the school’s swimming pool over the weekend, but the family disputes this theory.
High drama unfolded at the Makindu Sub-County Hospital mortuary as Martin’s relatives protested a move by Muema Ndungi, the owner of the school, and detectives to delay the postmortem.
Mr Ndungi and detectives insisted they could not trust Dr Geoffrey Mutuma, a renowned pathologist hired by the family.
“You are not taking this matter seriously. Instead of facilitating the bereaved family to find closure, you are making our lives difficult. You are highly insensitive,” said Aron Mwangi, Martin’s uncle, as he exchanged heated words with Mr Ndungi.
Faulted probe
A visibly distraught Samuel Mwenda, Martin’s father, accused detectives investigating the incident of siding with the private school “to cover up the truth about my son’s death.”
It took the intervention of Dr Mutuma and Makindu Sub-County Hospital Medical Superintendent Emmanuel Loiposha to calm the bereaved family.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has reached out to the government pathologist to provide an independent expert trusted by all parties. We will conduct the examination on Tuesday,” Dr Loiposha said.
The drama at the mortuary has shone a spotlight on the 16-year-old student, who was a school prefect and among the school’s academic stars.
Just two months ago, he was part of a group of top students flown to Tanzania and Zanzibar for an academic trip.
“My son aspired to be an astrologist. He dreamed of being up there, studying the atmosphere and the world. You have accelerated his journey up there. He is now watching over you,” Mr Mwenda said in a veiled threat to the school and detectives.
Teachers and students questioned
The tragedy has raised more questions than answers.
Detectives have since interrogated the school administration, teachers, students, and some of the school’s ground staff as pressure mounts on the institution to take responsibility.
The Nation has established that a bullying theory is among the angles detectives are investigating after it emerged that Martin, a school prefect, had previously complained about being bullied.