Nairobi, Kenya- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has approved manslaughter charges against the proprietors of Body by Design clinic following the tragic death of Lucy Wambui Kananu.
Kananu died in October 2023 after a botched surgical procedure at Omnicare Medical Limited, also known as Body by Design, located on Kabarsiran Avenue, Nairobi.
The case, which has drawn significant public attention, raises questions about medical accountability in Kenya’s cosmetic surgery industry.
The four accused individuals—including a surgeon and the clinic’s owner—are now set to face trial.
Kesi dhidi ya Body by Design: Lucy Ng’ang’a alifariki baada ya kufanyiwa upasuaji Kliniki ya Body by Design inahusishwa na kifo cha Lucy Lucy alifanyiwa upasuaji wa kupunguza mafuta mwilini Lucy Ng’ang’a alifariki tarehe 26 Oktoba 2024 #SemaNaCitizen @nimrodtaabu
Who Are the Accused?
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has confirmed that the following individuals will take their plea on Wednesday at the Kibera Law Courts:
- Robert Maweu Mutula – Surgeon
- George Wakaria Njoroge
- Lilian Edna Wanjiru – Proprietor of Body by Design
- Body by Design Hospital (Omnicare Medical Limited)
Despite being scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, the suspects failed to show up, leading Senior Principal Magistrate Temu to postpone the hearing and order them to appear by 9:00 AM on Wednesday.
Body by design directors ordered to appear in court amid legal battle to halt prosecution
Legal Proceedings and Public Interest
The prosecution team, led by Maryanne Mwangi and Samson Ngetich, is expected to argue that negligence at the clinic directly led to Kananu’s untimely death.
The case is likely to set a precedent for medical malpractice accountability in Kenya.
With increased scrutiny on unregulated cosmetic procedures, this trial could spark tighter oversight of aesthetic surgery clinics and stricter enforcement of medical standards.
