What was supposed to be a regular drop-and-go situation for a 14-seater matatu driver, Jonnie Musau turned out to be a life-changing moment for him after a woman went into labour inside the Public Service Vehicle (PSV).
Musau who has since received immense recognition from Kenyans across the internet for his noble actions was on Monday, September 23 forced to help an expectant woman deliver her baby and subsequently take her to the hospital.
Prior to the incident, the driver, who plies the Mombasa Road route, picked up the expectant woman who at the time was trekking to a distant medical facility where she was expected to give birth.
Watching from a distance, Musau who was at the time ferrying passengers near the Samala area in Makueni County became empathetic to the woman's plight and decided to grant her a free ride.
It was during the journey that the mother went into labour. With the healthcare centre still miles away, Musau was forced to stop the vehicle and help the woman deliver.
The driver, assisted by the tout, quickly took control of the situation and helped the mother bear her baby before rushing her to the Machakos Level 5 Hospital for specialised care.
Musau’s act of love has attracted the attention of many Kenyans who have since showered him and his colleague with praises for their courage and acts of kindness.
"May you be blessed, Jonnie. Keep doing a good job. This is kindness, may the goodness of God follow you," exclaimed an online user.
The duo also received monetary contributions and gifts from Kenyans as an expression of appreciation. Among the gifts bought by Kenyans for the two included two pairs of shoes.
Such acts of kindness sometimes go unrecognised, but for Jonnie, his courageous move granted him a lifetime fortune.
World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that the maternal mortality ratio defined as the number of women dying of pregnancy-related causes in Kenya stands at 355 loss of lives per 100,000 live births.
While access to proper healthcare for pregnant women has improved from 62 per cent to 70 per cent, most of the pregnancy-related loss of lives result from failure to access proper health facilities.
