Autopsy reveals what killed pregnant girl at a Kilifi police cell

A 17-year-old pregnant girl who died at Bamba police station cells in Kilifi County had head injuries inflicted by a blunt object.

Government pathologist Johansen Odour who conducted a second autopsy on Margaret Masha at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital on Saturday said  the minor, who was seven months pregnant had injuries in the head, legs and arms.

He, however, said  he was unable to establish the exact cause of death, since her nails had turned black, an indication of lack of oxygen that may result from strangulation.

He said more samples had been taken from the body and forwarded to the Government Chemist in Nairobi to help in ascertaining the cause of death.

A first postmortem conducted earlier had indicated that the minor had died due to strangulation, however, the family and civil society groups rejected the results.

Her mother Joyce Masha said her daughter was arrested by police and Education ministry officials for not reporting to Form One due to her pregnancy.