All five babies born to Juja woman Mercy Kanini in a rare quintuplet delivery have died while receiving specialised treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The newborns had been transferred to KNH from Thika Level Five Hospital shortly after delivery for specialised neonatal care. In a statement dated September 16, 2026, KNH said the babies were born at just 25 weeks of pregnancy, making them extremely premature and highly vulnerable to complications associated with early birth. The infants weighed between 630 and 800 grammes at birth.
Babies Received Specialised Care
KNH said a multidisciplinary neonatal team, including neonatologists, nurses and other specialised healthcare professionals, was involved in caring for the five babies after they were admitted. The hospital said the team made every effort to stabilise and support the newborns despite the challenges associated with their extremely premature condition.
However, the babies eventually died while undergoing treatment. According to KNH, four of the infants died within the same period, while the fifth baby passed away a day later. The hospital expressed condolences to Kanini and her family following the deaths.
KNH Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joel Lessan, OGW, said the facility recognised the magnitude of the loss and extended its support to the bereaved family during the difficult period.
Rare Quintuplet Birth
Kanini’s delivery had attracted widespread attention earlier in the week because of the rarity of giving birth to five babies at once. The pregnancy had lasted approximately six months, with the delivery occurring at 25 weeks. The case was reported as one of only a small number of quintuplet births recorded in Kenya. The delivery was also Kanini’s third pregnancy. She had previously welcomed two children, a boy and a girl.
Family Described Birth as a Miracle
Kanini’s husband, Evans Nyamhanga, previously described the arrival of the five babies as a miracle. According to Nyamhanga, the couple had initially expected to have four babies but were surprised when five were delivered.
The father had also appealed for financial assistance to help the family meet the significant costs associated with caring for the premature newborns. The babies were subsequently transferred to KNH, where they received specialised neonatal treatment. Their deaths have left the family mourning the loss of all five newborns, with the national referral hospital extending its condolences and support to the family.
