The tragic death of Kariobangi North MCA, John Munuve, could have been prevented, according to the Nairobi County Assembly. A post-mortem conducted by both independent and government pathologists has revealed that Munuve died due to a blood clot in his lungs, a condition known as pulmonary embolism. This clot, which had formed in his leg, eventually traveled to his lungs, blocking a key artery and causing sudden death.
Chief Government Pathologist, Dr. Johansen Oduor, confirmed that the cause of death was a large blood clot in the pulmonary trunk, which had traveled from a vein in Munuve’s left leg to the lungs. “We concluded that the cause of death was a large clot blocking the pulmonary artery,” Dr. Oduor explained. The clot had been present for a significant period before fatally reaching his lungs. Pathologists noted that Munuve had a mildly enlarged heart, suggesting underlying health issues.
Lawyer Biko Ashioya, who was part of the investigation team, said that the blood clot could have been detected earlier and prevented. “The clot had been there for a long time. It travelled from his leg to his heart. This is something that could have been stopped,” Ashioya stated. The MCA’s external appearance had appeared normal, but a post-mortem revealed that his left lung had become non-functional, and a major blood vessel to the heart was completely blocked.
The pathologists further noted that Munuve’s body showed signs of oxygen deprivation at the time of his death, with darkened lips and fingernails, a condition known as cyanosis. This lack of oxygen is often a clear indicator of pulmonary embolism.
The Nairobi County Assembly has expressed its deep concern over the findings and stressed that the death could have been avoided with earlier detection and medical intervention. The tragic loss has highlighted the importance of timely health check-ups and the need for vigilance in diagnosing blood-related conditions.
