The owners of Body by Design clinic are set to be charged with manslaughter following the death of Lucy Wambui Kananu, who died after undergoing surgery at the facility.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga on Tuesday approved the charges against four suspects linked to the clinic.

Robert Maweu Mutula, a surgeon, George Wakaria Njoroge, and Lilian Edna Wanjiru, the clinic’s proprietor, are expected to appear before the Kibera Law Courts in Nairobi on Wednesday at 9 am.

They had initially been scheduled to take their plea today but did not appear, prompting the court to push the hearing.

Kananu died on October 6, 2024, after undergoing a cosmetic procedure at Omnicare Medical Limited, also known as Body by Design, located on Kabarsiran Avenue in Nairobi.

Her death sparked outrage across the country, leading to scrutiny of the clinic’s operations.

In response to the public uproar, the National Assembly’s Health Committee launched an investigation to determine whether the clinic was legally registered under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and if it had the proper licensing to operate.

The probe also sought to establish the full range of medical procedures offered at the facility.

Following the investigation, the Ministry of Health and the KMPDC shut down the clinic.

Authorities cited multiple violations, including failure to meet the minimum operational standards, running a health facility without a valid license, and failing to comply with patient safety regulations.

The closure led to a legal battle between the clinic and the KMPDC, with the facility denying claims that it had improperly operated on Kananu.

Medical reports indicated that Kananu developed complications linked to the cosmetic procedure she underwent at the clinic.

As the controversy unfolded, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Homicide Unit launched its own probe.

Detectives visited the clinic, gathered evidence, and summoned staff members to record statements.

Meanwhile, Kananu’s family and friends have vowed to continue seeking justice, insisting that those responsible for her death be held accountable