Kenyans expressed the power of unity on social media after they helped to raise Ksh500,000 for the family of Baby Travis Maina, the boy who died after surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
In a statement by philanthropist, Karangu Muraya on Thursday, October 13, Kenyans of goodwill had raised over half a million in the funds drive to give baby Travis a befitting sendoff after he succumbed to excessive loss of blood owing to a fork jembe lodged in his head
The philanthropist took to his social media to air the plight of Judy Muthoni, Maina's mother and urged well-wishers to support her family. On Thursday morning, a total of Ksh300,000 had been raised.
"Glory to God we are at half a million. Let us continue to support mama Travis dear friends," Muraya urged.
"God bless you all for supporting mama Travis, we have managed to support her with more than Ksh500,000. This beautiful soul will be laid to rest at Kilimambogo," Muraya added.
Muthoni, with a grief-stricken look on her face, lauded the well-wishers for their contribution. The mother was yet to come to terms with the loss of her son who succumbed on Tuesday, October 11.
According to Muthoni, her baby's life would have been saved had it not been for KNH's alleged laxity while attending to the late baby Travis. She claimed that the hospital sought Ksh20,500 to secure a bed- money which Maina's family could not raise.
"We arrived at Kenyatta at 6.35 pm (on Monday) and were asked to pay Ksh1,260, which my sister Lucy Wambui paid, After we failed to raise the amount, we spent Monday night and part of Tuesday morning at the casualty, where my son died while waiting to be admitted and taken to the theatre in the afternoon,
"I blame them for the death of my son. They were more concerned about me raising Ksh20,500 to secure a bed than saving my son. I paid the price for being poor," she added.
KNH, however, released a statement indicating that baby Travis's case was complicated for the doctors to operate on him instantly.
According to George Ooko, Chair, KNH Board of Management, the jembe had penetrated the brain which in turn led to excessive bleeding. This led to doctors focusing on stopping the bleeding before conducting the surgery.
“A process of correcting the detected anomalies by giving blood products and medication while monitoring the patient's response was immediately commenced," Ooko noted.
Baby Travis will be laid to rest on Tuesday, October 18, at Kilimambogo, Kiambu County.
