A newborn baby and a mother. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed that over 160 newborns and 14 mothers died in Kiambu County during the five-month doctors’ strike, describing the situation as “unacceptable and deeply regrettable.”
Appearing before Members of Parliament on Wednesday, Duale said maternal and newborn services were the most affected as public hospitals scaled down operations.
“It is very sad. It’s unacceptable. It should not happen in any hospital, public or private. During the strike, 164 newborn deaths and 14 maternal deaths were recorded,” he said, adding that the figures may be understated due to reporting disruptions.
Outpatient visits at Thika Level 5 and Kiambu County Referral Hospital dropped sharply during the strike, from 80,452 patients between June and August 2024 to 54,282 in the same period this year. This means over 26,000 people missed essential care in the county.
Read More: Kenya’s healthcare sector on the brink of a nationwide drug shortage
Rising strain on other hospitals
The disruption forced many residents to seek services in neighbouring counties, putting pressure on facilities such as Kenyatta National Hospital, which operated at nearly double its usual capacity.
Duale warned that some health staff in Kiambu may have failed to file or falsified mortality data, terming non-reporting a criminal offence under the Digital Health Act, 2023.
He said he had formally engaged Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to address the crisis and restore services. “I called and texted the governor asking that we resolve this matter urgently to prevent more suffering,” Duale told MPs.
Governor, union trade blame
Governor Wamatangi has maintained that the county did not record any maternal deaths for eight consecutive months. Duale, however, dismissed the claim as inaccurate.
“The figures given for Kiambu County are not correct. Many mothers died, particularly when doctors were on strike,” he said. “As Minister for Health, I have the names of the mothers and newborns, and I am ready to provide that evidence.”
The Health CS said ministry data supports earlier warnings by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which had accused the county government of ignoring the impact of the strike.
Read More: KMPDU threatens nationwide strike after 136 infant deaths in Kiambu
KMPDU raises alarm over rising deaths
On October 1, KMPDU reported that more than 105 people had died in Kiambu hospitals since the strike began in May. Union chairperson James Githinji said two hospitals recorded 53 infant deaths in September alone.
The union’s report showed 18 infant deaths each in May and June, 14 in July, 18 in August, and 34 in September — all at Thika Level 5 Hospital.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah also claimed that patients seeking care in other counties faced long delays, poor ambulance transfers, and overcrowding.
“It is unacceptable that people are dying because of inaction by the county government,” Atellah said.
County dismisses allegations
The Kiambu County Government has denied the claims, accusing the union of exaggerating the figures to push its agenda.
Health workers in the county had downed tools over unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and lack of medical supplies. Negotiations to end the strike have since resumed following national government intervention.
Duale urged counties to strengthen coordination with the national health system to prevent future crises. “We must ensure that every life lost is accounted for. No mother or child should die because of administrative disagreements,” he said.
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