Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki ordered the Medical Board, the Nursing Council of Kenya and the Clinical Officers Council to conduct investigations into the death of 12 newborns at Pumwani Maternity Hospital uncovered by Governor Mike Sonko during an impromptu visit on Monday.
She further directed the bodies to report back to her with information on the matter within twenty four hours.
Sonko found bodies of infants wrapped in polythene bags and stuffed in boxes at the hospital.
Other than calling in the Police to investigate the matter, Sonko dissolved the hospital board.
He further suspended Superintendent Catherine Mutinda, Dr James Kamau - the obstetrician gynaecologist who was supposed to be on duty - and administrator Zadock Angahya.
The Governor was acting on allegations from the public that the hospital's management shut off machines at the maternity wing for a period of time.
"Conducting impromptu visit at Pumwani Hospital, where it’s alleged by members of the public that the management shutdown the machines at the Maternity Wing, leading to loss of lives of young ones.
"This is a police matter. You can’t lose 12 babies in a day," he stated.
Doctors union chair Ouma Oluga, on the other hand, called for Pumwani Hospital to be upgraded and put under control of the National Government.
"Pumwani Hospital should be upgraded to a National Referral Maternity Hospital managed by the National Govt. When Nairobians are done with the theatrical entertainment from their governor, let us discuss soberly," he tweeted.
