Omnicare directors and surgeon released on bond

The three individuals accused over the botched cosmetic surgery case that led to the death of businesswoman Lucy Wambui Kamau have been granted bond.

Senior Principal Magistrate Samson Temu of Kibera law courts on Tuesday ruled that surgeon Robert Maweu Mutula and Omnicare Medical directors George Wakaria Njoroge and Lilian Edna Wanjiru would be released on a bond of Sh1 million with a surety or alternatively, a cash bail of Sh500,000 accompanied by one contact person.

The court further scheduled the matter for mention on April 28. In his ruling, Temu dismissed the prosecution argument that the accused could interfere with witnesses, stating no evidence had been provided. “I have considered the submissions by the State and the reply by the defence. The State was saying the accused were likely to interfere with witnesses who were their employees. Sadly, there was information that the clinic was shut down, meaning there are no employees under the management of the accused persons,” said Temu.

The magistrate further noted that the clinic is no longer in use, diminishing the possibility of the accused interfering with patients or staff.

The three were charged with manslaughter following the death of Lucy Wambui, 47, after a 360-degree liposuction procedure at the Lavington-based clinic on October 14 last year.

Wambui was discharged after four days but later experienced complications. She was referred to Nairobi Hospital, where emergency surgery revealed multiple intestinal perforations. She died on October 26.

A post-mortem report confirmed that her death was directly linked to the complications resulting from the cosmetic surgery conducted at body by design. The prosecution, led by state counsel Victor Owiti, had argued that the accused posed a risk to public safety and might intimidate witnesses, especially considering their managerial roles at the clinic.