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Autopsy rules out drowning in death of Nakuru fisherman
Portrait of Justus Ekimomor Omollo, local fisherman whose body was retrieved from Lake Nakuru on February 20, 2025.
A postmortem examination on the body of a fisherman found floating in Lake Nakuru last Wednesday has revealed that he did not drown but died of hypoxic brain injury.
Justus Ekimomor Purokuor, 31, had gone fishing at Lake Nakuru on February 20 but went missing.
His body was discovered the next day by fellow fishermen who alerted the police.
Government pathologist Dr Titus Ngulungu who conducted the autopsy at the Nakuru City Mortuary said Ekimomor had some bruises on his head and back.
On further examination, doctors found no significant damage to the tissues, although internal organs showed signs of oxygen deprivation.
Dr Ngulungu noted that there was no evidence of strangulation or airway obstruction and that samples had been taken for further investigation to determine the cause of the hypoxia.
Although the body was found floating in the lake, the autopsy ruled out drowning as there were no definitive signs of this.
"Based on my examination, I conclude that the cause of death was hypoxic brain injury. We are still investigating the cause of the hypoxia. Toxicology and other blood chemistry tests will be done," said Dr Ngulungu.
The postmortem was conducted in the presence of Ekimomor’s family, a doctor and human rights defenders.
Speaking after the autopsy, Ekimomor’s father said he was informed of his son's death a day after learning he had gone missing while fishing in the lake where he had operated for the past two years.
He urged detectives to conduct a speedy investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding his son’s death and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“He went into the lake wearing a life jacket. How then could they say he drowned? There is something fishy going on at the lake. A thorough investigation should be conducted,” he said.
Nakuru Human Rights Defender David Kuria called on the government to initiate an independent investigation into the deaths and alleged harassment reported at the lake.
“We know fishing at the lake is illegal but there are legal mechanisms to handle this. Anyone arrested in the lake should be taken to court instead of being killed. It is heartbreaking to see families mourning after their loved ones are allegedly killed by KWS,” said Mr Kuria.