New Twist As Postmortem Reveals CEO Died of Strangulation

Toto Touch founder Susan Kamengere’s death ruled homicide after pathologists confirm manual strangulation

NAIROBI, Kenya – The mysterious death of Susan Kamengere Njoki, CEO and founder of Toto Touch, has taken a shocking turn after a comprehensive postmortem examination revealed she was murdered through manual strangulation within a day of being forcibly admitted to Chiromo Group of Hospitals.

A team of six pathologists, led by government pathologist Dr. J.N. Ndung’u and including Dr. P.M. Maturi representing the family, delivered the devastating findings at Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home on Tuesday following an exhaustive examination that began at 11 am and concluded shortly after 3 pm. The unanimous verdict confirmed what the family had feared most – that the respected businesswoman’s death was the result of deliberate violence.

Speaking to a somber gathering of press and family members, Dr. Ndung’u emphasized the thorough nature of their investigation. “We have done this postmortem very exhaustively, and all the various parties were represented. We conducted the examination as six pathologists, and we are all in consensus with the findings,” he stated. The postmortem findings showed clear features of compression to the neck, lack of oxygen in the blood, and other symptoms consistent with manual strangulation.

Dr. Maturi, representing the family’s interests, confirmed the grim reality in simple terms: “Susan died because of manual strangulation. In simple language, this means she was strangled.” Dr. Ndung’u was emphatic about the implications, stating that “manual strangulation is always homicidal, it can never be self-inflicted,” ruling out any possibility of suicide or accidental death.

The case has been shrouded in controversy from the beginning, with disturbing details emerging about Susan’s final days. On the evening of Monday, July 14, Susan had posted on Facebook that she had been forcibly taken from her home in Kileleshwa and admitted to the Braeside branch of Chiromo Group of Hospitals. In the now-deleted post, she claimed that four people – two men and two women – had stormed her bedroom, pinned her down, and injected her without her consent, allegedly under instructions from her husband, Alois, and her psychiatrist, Dr. Onyancha.

“They ignored my questions as a patient and survivor of bipolar disorder. I did a show regarding overcoming mental illness. Dr Njenga was so proud of my progress. Now, this is the final destination, by force,” she had written in her final social media post. Susan had been a mental health advocate who openly shared her journey with bipolar disorder and had appeared on national television in May alongside psychiatrist Dr. Frank Njenga, founder of Chiromo Hospital Group, speaking about her recovery.

In a voice note recorded from the hospital, Susan described how her phone had been taken and she was not allowed to communicate. “They forced me to lie down and injected me again, even after I told them I’m allergic to some medication. If death looks like this, let them take me back home,” she said in what would become one of her final messages.

The family has vehemently disputed the circumstances of her admission. Her aunt, Ruth, revealed that Susan had never received treatment at Chiromo and usually sought care at Aga Khan Hospital when unwell. Susan’s younger sister, Priscillah Wanjiru, spoke emotionally about her last conversation with Susan on Tuesday morning, July 15, just hours before her death. “She told me what to bring her when I visited later. But when I got to the hospital, I was denied access unless her husband gave permission. He did not pick my calls,” Wanjiru recalled through tears.

When family members finally gained access to see Susan, accompanied by their aunt at 2:30 pm, they were met with devastating news. “When we finally saw her, she had already died. We need justice!” Wanjiru said before breaking down completely.

The medical team provided crucial details about Susan’s final hours that could prove vital to the ongoing investigation. According to Dr. Ndung’u, the entrepreneur died less than four hours after her last meal, as evidenced by food found in her stomach during the examination. “She died in the hospital, not on the way,” he clarified, establishing a clear timeline that investigators will undoubtedly scrutinize.

The family’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, has raised serious questions about the hospital’s role in the tragedy. “Without any doubt, Susan was picked from her house, taken to hospital and later lost her life. This is not a natural death. The hospital must explain how she died, who accessed her and under whose instructions she was admitted,” he stated firmly.

Njiru revealed that while Susan’s husband and some hospital staff were initially arrested, they were later released on police bail. “Now that the findings show someone is culpable, we ask the DCI to act expeditiously and ensure no one evades justice. Criminal proceedings must follow. If the family deems it fit, we shall also pursue civil liability against the hospital,” he added.

Susan’s elder brother, Ephantus Kamengere, who raised her after their mother died in 1994, expressed the family’s determination to seek justice. “The intention of forcefully taking her to hospital was there. That instruction came from the husband. We’ve agreed as a family; nobody has a right to take her body before we decide,” he declared.

The family has taken protective measures, instructing Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home not to release the body to anyone without their consent. They are also considering commissioning an independent autopsy and pushing for a full inquest to ensure no stone is left unturned in seeking justice for Susan.

In response to the postmortem findings, Chiromo Hospital issued a statement on Tuesday evening acknowledging “the deep public concern and the gravity of the questions raised.” The hospital said their thoughts and prayers were with the family and confirmed they were cooperating with relevant authorities, having taken immediate steps to preserve all records and support the ongoing investigations.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which had officers present during the postmortem, now faces mounting pressure to solve this case swiftly. With the confirmation of manual strangulation as the cause of death, investigators have crucial forensic evidence that could help identify suspects and establish a clearer timeline of events leading to Susan’s death.

Susan Kamengere was widely celebrated as a visionary entrepreneur who had successfully built Toto Touch into a respected social impact organization. Her violent death has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s business community and mental health advocacy circles. Friends and colleagues have continued to pay tribute to the innovative businesswoman, with many describing her as resilient and forward-thinking.

As the investigation continues, the business community, mental health advocates, Susan’s family, and the public await answers to the many disturbing questions surrounding this tragic loss. The case has highlighted serious concerns about patient rights, forced psychiatric admissions, and the vulnerability of mental health advocates who courageously share their stories to help others.