This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
Tragedy struck at Iten County Hospital in Kenya when a 25-year-old woman, Gladys Keitany, and her baby died under unclear circumstances during delivery on July 7, 2020.
According to reports, Keitany went to the hospital to give birth but things turned awry, leading to her death. Her family claimed she was left on her own in the maternity ward, sparking allegations of negligence against the hospital's health workers.
Keitany's brother-in-law, Samuel Chepkole, called for an investigation into the incident, saying, “I am calling upon the county department of health to take responsibility and ensure the health officers who were in charge are brought to book.”
However, Health executive Isaac Kamar defended the hospital's staff, stating that Keitany died of post-partum haemorrhage. Kamar also announced that an audit would be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A family friend and nominated MCA, Jaseline Ruto, who visited Keitany in the ward, reported that the mother had bled for several hours before being referred to another hospital in Eldoret, but it was too late.
