St. Teresa’s Maternity and Nursing Home in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, has defended itself against claims of medical negligence after the death of 32-year-old Phylis Wanjiru on September 9, following an emergency cesarean section.
According to the hospital, Wanjiru was admitted with labour pains and lower abdominal complications. Doctors noted she had undergone two previous cesareans, while scans revealed a transverse lie of the baby. The surgical team also discovered she had placenta previa, a high-risk condition causing bleeding.
The baby girl, weighing 3.1kg, was safely delivered, and initial bleeding was minimal. However, six hours later, Wanjiru developed secondary postpartum hemorrhage, prompting a transfer to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). St. Teresa’s maintains she was referred in stable condition.
KNH later performed additional surgery, but Wanjiru died the next day. A postmortem cited Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), a rare clotting disorder, as the cause of death.
In a statement, St. Teresa’s insisted all procedures were followed: “Our staff acted quickly and in accordance with professional standards to provide the best possible care.”
Her husband, Dennis Wanyonyi, disputes this account, claiming KNH doctors questioned St. Teresa’s handling of the case. He further lamented frustrations in seeking justice, accusing police in Kikuyu and KNH of failing to assist.
Wanyonyi is now appealing to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to probe the case and hold the hospital accountable.
