KNH Confirms Death Of All Five Quintuplets Referred From Thika Level Five Hospital

By Monyonge O’kebati

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has confirmed the death of all five quintuplets who had been referred to the facility from Thika Level Five Hospital for specialised tertiary care.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, KNH said the babies were born at an extremely premature gestational age of 25 weeks and had critically low birth weights.

According to the hospital, the newborns faced significant clinical challenges from the time they were admitted, prompting specialised care by a multidisciplinary neonatal team.

The team included neonatologists, nurses and other allied health professionals who provided specialised treatment and made efforts to support the babies.

Despite the medical intervention and specialised care provided at KNH, the hospital confirmed that all five newborns eventually passed away.

KNH Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joel Lessan, OGW, expressed the hospital’s deep sadness over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the mother and the entire family.

The hospital acknowledged the profound loss suffered by the family, describing the death of the five newborns as an extraordinarily difficult period.

The quintuplets had been transferred from Thika Level Five Hospital to KNH to receive specialised tertiary neonatal care. Their deaths highlight the serious medical challenges associated with extremely premature births, particularly where newborns are delivered at very low gestational ages and birth weights.

KNH said it stands with the family during the difficult period and extended its sincere condolences following the loss.