This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
On September 16, 2018, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko made an impromptu visit to Pumwani Hospital, where he uncovered a disturbing scene. The governor, who arrived at the facility on a boda boda, caught the management off guard.
During his visit, Sonko discovered 12 corpses of infants hidden in boxes. The bodies were wrapped together in polythene bags and stuffed in three boxes inside a store, rather than a mortuary.
According to Sonko, he had received a video showing some members of the administration ferrying bodies from the wards, which prompted his visit. He streamed the raid live on his Facebook account, stating that human life must be respected no matter the case.
“Conducting impromptu visit at Pumwani Hospital, where it’s alleged by members of the public that the management shut down the machines at the Maternity Wing, leading to loss of lives of young ones. I want to categorically state that human life must be respected no matter the case. Stern action will be taken against anyone found to be sabotaging the good services offered to our mothers and sisters who come to deliver in this facility,” Sonko wrote during the raid.
After the discovery, Sonko alerted senior police officers to look into the matter, saying, “This is a police matter. You can’t lose 12 babies in a day.”
