Nairobi’s Kariobangi North Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Joel Munuve, passed away on Tuesday, following a brief illness. An autopsy conducted at Lee Funeral Home has confirmed that the cause of death was a blood clot in his lungs, a condition known as pulmonary embolism.
Chief Government Pathologist, Dr. Johansen Oduor, explained that the clot originated from a vein in Munuve’s left leg and traveled to the lungs, where it blocked a major artery, leading to insufficient oxygen in his body at the time of death. The condition caused cyanosis, which was observed during an external examination as a darkening of the lips and fingernails indicative of oxygen deprivation.
Dr. Oduor further detailed that the clot was tightly adherent to the pulmonary artery, which normally carries blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. The blockage in this vital artery resulted in sudden death. An additional examination revealed the presence of the clot in the popliteal vein in the left lower limb, confirming its origin.
The postmortem attracted significant attention, with a panel of seven pathologists overseeing the examination, representing various parties, including the government, the family, the Nairobi County Assembly, and others such as MP Babu Owino. Lawyer Danstan Omari, who spoke on behalf of the family, welcomed the involvement of other interested parties, emphasizing transparency in the investigation.
In addition to the pathologists, specialists from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), government analysts, forensic experts, and laboratory technicians were also involved in the examination process. MCA Robert Alai, a colleague of Munuve, confirmed that a meeting had been held with the medical team to discuss the deceased’s health history and last activities to assist in the investigation.
Munuve, who was elected as an independent in the 2022 General Elections, was widely respected for his firm political views. His sudden death has left the community in shock, with many expressing their condolences and paying tribute to his legacy.
