Dr Job Obwaka died of cardiac arrest - Autopsy

An autopsy has established that renowned gynaecologist and former Nairobi Hospital Board member Job Obwaka died of cardiac arrest.

The post-mortem, conducted on Tuesday at Lee Funeral Home, found that cardiac arrest was the immediate cause of death. A family representative said the cardiac arrest was linked to a heart condition.

Family representative Joseph Ndungu confirmed the findings, noting that further examinations would still be undertaken to provide more clarity on what led to the fatal episode.

“However, a toxicology report is still being conducted to determine the exact cause,” Ndungu said.

Ndungu said the family was in agreement with the findings of the examination.

Obwaka died on May 1, 2026, after being rushed to The Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigators had earlier informed the court that they are probing a possible poisoning in the death of the 83-year-old medic. Police told the court that suspected poisoning is among the lines of inquiry into the death of the veteran obstetrician and gynaecologist and former chairman of the Board of Directors at Nairobi Hospital.

According to an affidavit filed in court by Sergeant Rhoda Nzioka from the DCI headquarters, samples collected from a residence where Dr Obwaka had been prior to his collapse will be sent to the Government Chemist for toxicological analysis.

The woman, Beatrice Wangari, is in custody for 10 days to allow police to complete investigations.

“There are certain samples that are to be forwarded to the government analyst, and possibly as a result of two tests or examinations, maybe subsequently a mental assessment examination,” the prosecutor said.

Wangari’s defence team dismissed the allegations, arguing that police had already searched the premises and recovered no evidence to support claims of poisoning, and that collecting food samples would be an overreach.

Dr Obwaka is remembered as a respected medical professional who dedicated decades of service to women’s health and medical leadership in Kenya.