Gospel musician Rachel Wandeto, who was set ablaze in a Nairobi suburb, died from complications brought on by burns covering most of her body, a government pathologist revealed on Friday, May 22.

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This comes as the High Court granted detectives more time to hold the key suspect in the killing that has drawn national attention.

Wandeto died at Kenyatta National Hospital after assailants ambushed her in Mwiki, in Kasarani Sub-County, doused her with a chemical and set her on fire, according to police accounts. She had been receiving treatment when she succumbed to her injuries.

Government pathologist Johansen Oduor, who conducted the post-mortem examination at the Kenyatta National Hospital Mortuary, said burns to roughly 85 per cent of her body caused the fatal complications.

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He explained that such extensive injury overwhelms the skin's role in keeping the body stable. "There were significant burns all over the body, and 85 per cent of the surface area of the skin was burned, which led to complications," Oduor said.

Adding, "The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it contains electrolytes, water and proteins that aid the body. Once you get such a type of burn, then the complications also come in."

Oduor said investigators had collected swabs for forensic analysis to determine whether Wandeto had been sexually assaulted before the attack. "We are not sure whether there was sexual assault in this case," he said.

The examination was carried out in the presence of officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' Homicide Unit, who gathered additional samples as the inquiry intensified.

The case has stirred public debate amid claims that Wandeto was targeted because she bore a tattoo of President William Ruto as a show of political support. Detectives have not confirmed a motive.

On Thursday, prosecutors brought suspect Josiah Njeru Njiri before the Makadara Law Courts and asked for more time to hold him.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke