The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a homicide probe into the shocking death of lawyer Mwendwa, who entered a hospital for a routine procedure and never walked out.

This tragedy has ripped the veil off the silent epidemic of medical negligence in Kenya’s healthcare system. Mwendwa, a vibrant legal mind, checked into the facility on December 18, 2025, for what was billed as a minor digestive system surgery. His death has sparked outrage within the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and demands for accountability from a medical fraternity often accused of protecting its own.

A System on Trial

Preliminary reports paint a disturbing picture of botched protocols and potential negligence. Investigators are currently grilling the surgical team and hospital administrators to establish how a "minor" procedure turned fatal. Was it anesthesia error? Surgical mishap? Or post-operative neglect?

"We went there for healing, not a funeral," a distraught family member told investigators. The sentiment echoes the fears of millions of Kenyans who view hospitals with a mix of hope and terror.

• The "Minor" Myth: Medical experts warn that labeling any surgery as "minor" often leads to complacency. Every incision carries risk, and Mwendwa's death is a grim reminder that there are no small surgeries, only small margins for error.
• The Legal Battle: The LSK has vowed to leave no stone unturned. If negligence is proven, this case could set a precedent for corporate manslaughter charges against medical institutions.
• Regulatory Failure: The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) is under pressure to explain why such incidents continue to rise despite promised reforms.

The Price of Impunity

This is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a healthcare system where profit often trumps patient safety, and where "sorry" is considered sufficient restitution for a life cut short. As the DCI closes in on the culprits, the message must be clear: the white coat is a symbol of service, not a shield from the law.

For Mwendwa’s family, the quest for justice is just beginning. But for the rest of Kenya, the question remains: who is safe on the operating table?

Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done, or the next victim is just a waiting room away.