Kiambu: Kimani Wamatangi Faces Pressure to Fire Doctors after Baby Dies Amid Alleged Negligence
- Residents of Gatundu North have demanded Governor Kimani Wamatangi sack doctors following the death of a baby due to delayed medical attention
- The baby was denied admission at Thika Level 5 Hospital and later died waiting for transfer to Maragua Hospital
- Locals accused county medics of negligence despite recent investments in healthcare infrastructure and called for accountability
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Kiambu: Residents of Gatundu North are demanding accountability from Governor Kimani Wamatangi following the tragic death of an 11-month-old baby, which they attribute to medical negligence.
Source: Facebook
What caused the death of a child at Igegania Hospital?
The baby, who required urgent medical attention, was first rushed to Igegania Level 4 Hospital.
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However, due to the severity of the condition, the hospital referred the child to Thika Level 5 Hospital using a county ambulance.
Shockingly, Thika Level 5 Hospital reportedly declined to admit the baby, with the reasons for rejection still unclear.
TUKO.co.ke has learnt that the ambulance was forced to return to Igegania, where medics attempted to stabilise the infant while seeking another referral.
They eventually secured a referral to Maragua Hospital, where doctors were ready to receive the child.
However, as the Igegania team awaited the next available ambulance, the baby tragically passed away.
The incident has sparked public outrage in Gatundu North, with locals blaming the delay and lack of coordination among county health facilities for the avoidable tragedy.
"We keep seeing and hearing the investment that the governor has been making in the health sector such as building hospitals, equipping and drugs as well as hiring staff, what is the purpose of it if we have doctors who are less concerned about people's lives, he should sack all of the get others. We have very many qualified doctors who are ready to serve," said Joseph Kimani, a resident.
Jane Maina, a trader in the area, added:
“This child did not deserve to die—especially with the county’s fleet of ambulances and newly equipped hospitals. Someone must be held accountable.”
Residents argue the failure of Thika Level 5 Hospital to admit the baby contravenes Article 43(2) of the Constitution, which guarantees emergency medical treatment to all. Section 7 of the Health Act, 2017 echoes this right.
The pressure continues to mount on Governor Wamatangi to investigate the incident, take disciplinary action against negligent staff, and ensure no similar case happens again.
Kiambu county responds to child's death at Igegania
Speaking at the facility on Wednesday, May 28, Kiambu Health CEC Elias Maina assured the public that the county government will get to the bottom of the tragic incident due to delays in receiving medical attention.
Source: UGC
"We are here to investigate what exactly happened and ensure this is never repeated. Disciplinary measures are already underway against any staff who failed in their duty to manage the patient appropriately," Maina said.
He emphasised that no one will be spared, regardless of their rank, and confirmed that attendance records are being scrutinised.
“We know who reported to work and who did not. Those who failed to show up will be replaced with qualified personnel to maintain the smooth running of all our health facilities. We cannot afford to risk the lives of our patients,” he added.
Eric Omondi searches for Kiambu's grieving father
Meanwhile, the heartbreaking video showed the grieving and distraught father crying out in frustration as he confronted hospital staff.
Throughout the chaos, he held tightly onto the lifeless body of his child—a moment that has deeply moved many Kenyans online.
The video prompted public outcry, with comedian Eric Omondi expressing sorrow over the tragedy and calling on Kenyans to help him identify and reach out to the grieving father.
Eric described the incident as a painful reminder of the consequences of failed healthcare systems and emphasised the need for greater accountability from leaders.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
