KNH Confirms Tragic Death of All Five Quintuplets Born to Juja Mother
Kenyatta National Hospital has confirmed the tragic passing of all five quintuplets delivered by a mother from Juja.
The hospital released an official press statement on 16 September 2026 signed by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joel Lessan.
The statement cited extreme premature gestational age and critically low birth weights as the primary clinical factors. The infants were born at a gestational age of 25 weeks.
“Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) wishes to inform the public of the tragic passing of all five quintuplets who were referred to our institution from Thika Level Five Hospital for specialized tertiary care,” read the statement.
“Despite the dedicated efforts of our medical teams and the specialized care provided, all five newborns sadly passed away,” Dr Lessan stated.
The hospital extended its condolences to the mother and family during this period of grief.
Rare Natural Quintuplet Delivery at Thika Hospital
Mercy Kanini, a 28-year-old mother of two, went into labour at 1:00 am on 13 September 2026. She was admitted to Thika Level Five Hospital at 7:00 am after an initial examination at Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital.
Between 10:45 am and 10:56 am, she delivered five babies naturally. The infants comprised four girls and one boy. Obstetric scans confirmed a gestational age of 25 weeks and six days.
“The babies were born at an extremely premature gestational age of 25 weeks and with critically low birth weights, presenting significant clinical challenges from the time of admission.”
The delivery marked only a few recorded natural quintuplet births in Kenya’s history. The newborns weighed between 600 grammes and 800 grammes.
Due to their extreme prematurity, the medical team prepared them for specialized transfer. They were transferred to KNH by ambulance at 10:30 pm that evening.
Progressive Medical Deterioration
Four female infants initially passed away following admission to KNH. KNH Director of Clinical Services Dr Joel Lessan previously explained the initial deaths.
“Two females died within two hours of arrival,” Dr Lessan stated.
“The other two females died after two days due to premature lungs,” he added.
The sole surviving male infant subsequently passed away, completing the loss of all five siblings.
Transport Concerns and Family Appeal
The tragic outcome followed concerns raised by the infants’ grandmother from Katangi, Machakos.
She telephoned activist Eric Omondi to report difficulties during the transfer from Thika. She stated that a secondary transport vehicle lacked infant protection.
Another vehicle carrying two infants and their father lacked heating. “Na mtoto mmoja alichukuliwa akapewa baba yao afunike na jacket,” she said.
She called for an investigation into the deaths of the infants. “Tufuatilie kifo ya hawa watoto vile walikufa juu watoto wote hawawezi wakakufa mara moja,” she urged.
Following the call, Eric Omondi appealed publicly for KNH to support the grieving parents.
“Whoever is in charge at KNH Please help them,” Omondi posted.
Mercy Kanini remains in a stable condition while recovering from physical strain.
What Happens Next
The hospital has not announced whether an investigation into the transfer and deaths will be conducted. The family continues to mourn the loss of all five infants.