Businessman Francis Nganga Mundia has given an emotional account of the final days of his wife, Lucy Wambui Nganga, who died after a cosmetic procedure at the controversial Body by Design clinic, raising fresh concerns about patient safety and regulation of cosmetic surgery in Kenya.
Testifying before an ongoing inquiry, Mr. Nganga said his wife was drawn to the clinic after seeing an online advertisement that promised dramatic weight loss through abdominal fat reduction. Lucy, who weighed about 100 kilograms, hoped to reduce her weight to between 50 and 60 kilograms.
According to Mr. Nganga, Lucy booked an appointment for October 16, 2024, but did not inform him that she would undergo surgery that same day. She went to the clinic accompanied by her cousin, Gitau. He told the court that he was never asked to sign any consent form, a requirement for major medical procedures.
When he visited Lucy at the clinic on October 17, he found her in pain and noticed a strong, unpleasant smell. Nurses reportedly assured him that this was normal. However, he became alarmed when he saw holes under her abdomen and asked their children to leave the room.
Lucy’s condition worsened over the next few days. On October 18, she was in severe pain and repeatedly cried out that she was dying, but her husband said medical staff failed to respond. By October 20, she was extremely weak and begged him to take care of their children, especially their 13-year-old daughter.
The following day, Mr. Nganga was shocked to learn that Lucy had been discharged. When he tried to take her home, she was so ill that she could not get out of the car. On returning to the clinic, he found it closed without notice. With help, he accessed the premises and found Lucy still alive but in critical condition.
An ambulance rushed her to Nairobi Hospital, where doctors were alarmed by the severe infection and foul smell. Lucy was admitted to the ICU, and doctors later discovered that about 1.5 kilograms of fecal matter had leaked into her abdominal cavity, indicating serious internal damage.
Despite emergency surgery, Lucy died on October 26, 2024.
Mr. Nganga reported the case to Muthangari Police Station, and investigations were taken over by the DCI Homicide Unit. He questioned why unqualified practitioners were allowed to operate at the clinic and called for accountability.
As investigations continue, the case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for stricter regulation of cosmetic clinics, proper licensing of practitioners, and stronger protection for patients seeking cosmetic procedures in Kenya.
