Family in agony as kin succumbs to childbirth complications

By Daisy Okiring

A Nakuru family is mourning the loss of 28-year-old Elizabeth Wairimu, who died on April 20, 2025, shortly after giving birth via cesarean section at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital (PGH).

Her family is now demanding accountability, citing delays and possible negligence.

According to her husband, Ben Kinyanjui, Wairimu developed breathing complications after surgery. The hospital informed them that an ambulance would arrive at 1:00 p.m. to transfer her to an ICU facility, but it only showed up two hours later.

‘She wasn’t breathing’

“This was an emergency. She wasn’t breathing. How can an ambulance take two hours to arrive, and it’s just from here?” he said in disbelief.

Kinyanjui, who met Wairimu in 2020, is now left to raise their six-year-old and newborn children alone. “My wife has always been my strength. I don’t know how I’ll do this without her,” he said.

Wairimu’s mother, Susan Wanjiku, described her daughter as joyful, hardworking, and full of life. She recalled their last conversation before the surgery. “She told me she was going to the theatre and gave her phone to Ben. That was the last I heard from her,” she said.

Wanjiku now seeks justice: “If death comes, let it be by God’s will, not because of negligence. No other mother should go through this.”

In response, Nakuru Health Executive Roselyn Mungai said Wairimu developed unexpected complications, including low oxygen levels, and was placed on a ventilator. The hospital only transferred her once an ICU bed became available at 3:00 p.m.

A post-mortem is planned to determine the exact cause of death as the family pushes for answers and accountability.