The Senate Health Committee, led by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, has launched an inquiry into the deaths of five premature babies born at Thika Level 5 Hospital in Kenya. The babies, four girls and one boy, were born on September 13 at about 25 weeks of pregnancy, weighing between 630 and 800 grams each. They were transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized neonatal care but unfortunately died.
The committee aims to determine whether anything could have been done differently to improve the babies' chances of survival. They will examine the facility's preparedness to handle the exceptionally high-risk pregnancy and whether the necessary equipment and staff were available. The inquiry will review contemporaneous records and expert evidence to establish a minute-by-minute account of what happened between the babies' birth and deaths.
The committee has summoned Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and the management of Thika Level 5 Hospital to appear before them, but they did not appear. The senators want a complete clinical timeline, including the mother's admission, antenatal preparations, and the delivery process. They also want to know why the mother was not transferred to a tertiary facility before delivery, if deemed clinically necessary.
The committee is examining whether Thika Level 5 Hospital had the capacity to deal with the emergency, including adequate staffing levels and equipment. They want details of the doctors, nurses, and specialists on duty, including obstetric, anesthetic, pediatric, neonatal, midwifery, and theatre teams. The senators also want a baby-by-baby account of the resuscitation and stabilization provided after delivery.
The hospital has been asked to confirm whether incubators or warmers, oxygen, respiratory-support and resuscitation equipment, medicines, and essential supplies were available and functional. The committee also wants records of the ambulance transfer to Kenyatta National Hospital, including the equipment, oxygen, temperature-control measures, and trained personnel used.
The senators are seeking answers from Kiambu county on the actions taken after the deaths, including whether a formal maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response review or an independent clinical audit was initiated. The committee wants details of any findings, preserved records, and measures being taken to prevent a similar tragedy.
The committee is seeking a credible, costed, and time-bound corrective-action plan to address weaknesses identified in high-risk pregnancy management, neonatal care, staffing, equipment, and referral systems. The inquiry aims to provide a complete, independently verified account of the antenatal care, delivery, newborn stabilization, referral, and ambulance transfer.
Key points
- The Senate Health Committee is investigating the deaths of five premature babies born at Thika Level 5 Hospital.
- The committee wants to determine whether anything could have been done differently to improve the babies' chances of survival.
- The inquiry will review contemporaneous records and expert evidence to establish a minute-by-minute account of what happened between the babies' birth and deaths.
