Autopsy Confirms Toto Touch CEO Susan Njoki Was Strangled in Nairobi Hospital

Kenyan authorities have launched a formal investigation into the death of Susan Njoki, a prominent mental health advocate and founder of the maternal health enterprise Toto Touch.

She died on 15 July while admitted to Chiromo Group of Hospitals’ Braeside branch. The circumstances surrounding her death have sparked public outcry, with her family alleging suspicious and potentially criminal activity. Njoki, 48, was found to have died from manual strangulation, a finding confirmed by a post-mortem examination conducted at Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home. Pathologists unanimously ruled the death as homicidal, saying her injuries could not have been self-inflicted.

Government pathologist Dr JN Ndung’u, who led the examination alongside five other medical professionals, said: “There were signs of compression on her neck and oxygen deprivation in her bloodstream. This kind of death is always homicidal, never suicidal.”

Investigators estimate the time of death between 12.30pm and 1pm, which aligns with accounts from Njoki’s family, who report being denied access to her hospital room during that period. Priscillah Wanjiru, Njoki’s younger sister, said she was barred from visiting Njoki without her husband’s permission, a request that remained unanswered. Wanjiru and an aunt returned later that afternoon and were eventually allowed in, only to find Njoki had already died.

The circumstances of Njoki's admission to Chiromo Hospital have now come under scrutiny. The evening before her death, Njoki posted on Facebook, alleging she had been forcibly taken from her home in Kileleshwa and admitted against her will. She claimed four individuals—two men and two women—restrained her and administered an injection without her consent. She wrote: “They ignored my questions as a patient and survivor of bipolar disorder. Now, this is the final destination, by force.”

Her family maintains that Njoki was not experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of her admission. According to her aunt, Ruth, she had scheduled appointments and appeared stable. The fact that Njoki typically sought treatment at Aga Khan Hospital, not Chiromo, raises questions about the decision to admit her to a facility with which she had no prior therapeutic relationship. Her brother, Ephantus Kamengere, revealed that Njoki had expressed fears for her life months earlier, even requesting to be buried next to their mother if anything happened to her.

Njoki, a certified nurse with experience at Nairobi Hospital and CIC Insurance, was nationally recognised for her work in maternal health through Toto Touch, which offers prenatal and breastfeeding support. She also advocated for mental health awareness and had recently appeared on a local television programme with psychiatrist Dr Frank Njenga, founder and chairman of Chiromo Group of Hospitals, to discuss her recovery from bipolar disorder.

At the time of her death, Njoki had recently secured a senior position with a European firm and was finalising travel documents. Her family believes she was on the verge of a significant professional achievement, making the circumstances of her death all the more devastating. Legal proceedings are now underway. The family’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, confirmed that Susan’s husband and several hospital staff were briefly detained but later released on police bail. He emphasised that criminal charges must follow and indicated that the family may also pursue civil action against the hospital.

“We are looking at both criminal liability and civil responsibility,” Njiru said. “The family deserves answers, and the public deserves transparency.”

Chiromo Group of Hospitals has issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. “We recognise the deep public concern and the gravity of the questions raised,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Since the sudden death occurred, we are cooperating with authorities and have preserved all records to support investigations.”

Detectives from Kabete Police Station are currently handling the case, gathering witness accounts, hospital records, and surveillance footage to determine who had access to Njoki’s room at the time of her death.