Mombasa: Calls for stern measures and urgent reforms in healthcare and law enforcement systems have intensified in Mombasa following the death of a Mombasa woman suspected to be a victim of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and alleged institutional failures. Susan Mito, a mother of two, reportedly suffered injuries at the hands of her husband. According to family sources, she had reported the incident to authorities before being admitted to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries on April 14, 2026.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking on behalf of the bereaved family and civil society in Mombasa, Terry Mwongeli, Senior Legal Counsel at the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya, said the incident raises serious concerns about the conduct of public institutions, including the police and healthcare providers. Mwongeli noted that the matter had been reported in advance, suggesting the death may have been preventable.
‘As a family, we are deeply concerned about the conduct of public institutions in
this matter. This case was reported ahead of time, and we believe timely and professional action by the police could have prevented this outcome,’ she said.
She recounted receiving a distress call from the family on April 7 seeking legal and protection assistance. Upon visiting the victim at Portreitz Hospital, Mwongeli described the situation as dire. ‘Susan was a victim of GBV. The condition of the ward and the care she was receiving were deeply disturbing,’ she noted.
According to Mwongeli, the victim had undergone surgery but required urgent referral to a higher-level facility due to oxygen deficiency. However, attempts to transfer her were unsuccessful. ‘Doctors indicated that the hospital lacked ICU capacity, yet referral efforts failed as there was no space at Coast General Hospital,’ she said.
She further alleged gaps in medical care that may have compromised the patient’s chances of survival. ‘There were serious gaps. At one point, relatives requested a referral when her condition worsened, but th
ey were told there was no valid reason to transfer her,’ Mwongeli added.
Civil society leaders have also weighed in, demanding accountability from both police and health institutions. They urged the Mombasa County Government to improve healthcare infrastructure, particularly ICU capacity, and to implement recommendations from the national femicide task force to address GBV.
Zedekiah Adika, Chairperson of the Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights, emphasised that the case should serve as a turning point in strengthening institutional response systems to protect vulnerable individuals, while questioning the handling of prior reports made by the deceased. ‘We are aware that two reports were made within a month regarding threats and destruction of property by the same perpetrator. We want to know under what conditions this individual was released,’ Adika said.
He noted that despite clear warning signs, the suspect was freed, culminating in the fatal incident on April 4. ‘There was a clear intention to h
arm. The victim raised an alarm that her life was in danger, yet no adequate action was taken. If someone fails in their duty, we will hold them accountable. There must be responsibility.’
Family members, still grappling with the loss, are appealing for justice and government support. Emily Mito, the deceased’s sister, described the loss as devastating. ‘We are saddened by losing our sister, who was the eldest in our family. We want justice not only for her but for all women facing GBV,’ she said, disclosing that her sister made multiple reports to the police before her death.
‘There were clear traces and opportunities for intervention, but something went wrong,’ she added, appealing for psychosocial support, noting that the deceased left behind two children aged 19 and 11. ‘The younger child is yet to come to terms with the loss. We need counselling support as a family,’ Mito said.
