VERIFIED — HOSPITAL CONFIRMATION
A devastating tragedy has struck a family in Juja, Kenya, after all five babies born to 28-year-old Mercy Kanini died following their premature birth.
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) confirmed on September 16 that the fifth and final surviving infant had died, one day after the other four newborns. The babies had been transferred from Thika Level Five Hospital to KNH for specialised neonatal care.
The quintuplets were born extremely prematurely—at about 25 weeks of gestation—and had very low birth weights. KNH said the babies faced significant clinical challenges and received specialised care from a multidisciplinary neonatal team.
From extraordinary joy to devastating loss
Kanini had delivered four girls and one boy at Thika Level Five Hospital in what was described as a rare quintuplet birth. Earlier reports said the babies weighed roughly between 630 and 800 grammes, although reports have differed slightly on the precise figures.
The newborns were transferred to KNH because of their extreme prematurity and need for specialised neonatal intensive care.
Initially, one baby remained alive after the deaths of the other four. That final hope ended on September 16 when KNH confirmed that the fifth infant had also died.
KNH expressed its condolences to Kanini and her family, saying it recognised the profound pain of losing all five newborns.
What caused the deaths?
KNH has attributed the babies’ medical difficulties to their extreme prematurity and very low birth weights. The hospital has not, in the statement reported by Citizen Digital, alleged negligence or identified another specific cause of death.
This distinction is important because some political figures have subsequently questioned whether the initial facility had adequate equipment and medical personnel. Those are claims and criticisms that should not be presented as established causes of the deaths.
A family now mourning five children
The tragedy leaves Kanini and her husband, Evans Nyamhanga, mourning all five newborns only days after their arrival.
Earlier, Nyamhanga had described the birth as a blessing and appealed for support as the family prepared to care for the quintuplets.
The family is now facing an entirely different reality: mourning the loss of all five babies.
GhanaMedia Verdict: VERIFIED — The death of all five quintuplets has been confirmed by Kenyatta National Hospital and independently reported by multiple Kenyan news organisations.
Editorial note: GhanaMedia will not publish identifiable images of the newborns. Any children appearing in related graphics should have their faces fully blurred or otherwise obscured.
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