Autopsy Confirms Cerebral Malaria as Cause of Njoro Girls Student’s Death

An autopsy has confirmed that 18-year-old Brenda Akinyi, a student at Njoro Girls' Senior School, died from cerebral malaria.

Akinyi passed away last Saturday at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she had been admitted after her condition worsened while at school. The postmortem, conducted at Egerton University mortuary, revealed that the cause of death was a severe form of malaria, which could have been treated with prompt medical intervention.

According to government pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu, who performed the autopsy alongside family doctor Ms. Wangari Wambui, there were no external injuries on Akinyi’s body, but significant internal complications were present. Her brain and lungs were severely congested with fluid, and signs of cyanosis, indicating insufficient oxygen in the blood, were also found. 

Dr. Ngulungu concluded that the swelling of the brain and the lack of oxygen were the primary causes of death, consistent with cerebral malaria. Ms. Wambui supported this conclusion, noting increased intracranial pressure, which restricts blood flow to the brain and can cause severe symptoms like headaches, vomiting, and confusion. 

She also observed pulmonary oedema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs that can impair breathing. Although these symptoms can result from various conditions, the doctors maintained that malaria was the most likely cause. Toxicological tests are being carried out to eliminate other possibilities.

The autopsy was witnessed by family members, who expressed satisfaction with the findings. Family spokesperson Pastor Gideon Luvisia urged the public to avoid speculation and confirmed that the family had accepted the medical conclusions and was now focused on arranging the burial.

The incident has led to unrest at Njoro Girls' Senior School, with students and community members staging protests earlier this week. In response, Nakuru County Director of Education, Victoria Mulili, has ordered that Form Three and Form Four students be sent home temporarily to ease anxiety, with plans for their return on 8 February.

This is not the first time the school has faced criticism over student deaths. In March 2023, 14-year-old Form One student Whitney Njoki died shortly after being taken to Njoro Sub-County Hospital, with her family alleging negligence and delayed medical action by the school.