Kiambu County dismisses claims of surge in infant fatalities due to doctors' strike
Highlighting the county’s performance, Mbuthia noted that Kiambu Level V Hospital was recognised at the United Nations General Assembly for recording zero maternal deaths between January and July this year.
Kiambu County has rejected claims by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) that more than 130 newborns have died in the past four months during an ongoing doctors’ strike.
The county government insists that these reports are false, misleading, and aimed at creating a crisis that does not exist.
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“There are no newborn deaths in Kiambu. These claims are false and aimed at creating a crisis that is nonexistent in the health sector in Kiambu,” said Dr Elías Maina Mbuthia, the County Executive Committee member in charge of health services, in a statement on Friday
He added that the narrative is being pushed by KMPDU to gain public sympathy during what he called an “illegal strike”, where only a few doctors have chosen to boycott work.
According to Mbuthia, services in all county health facilities have continued uninterrupted.
“After a few doctors chose to boycott work, the Kiambu County Government immediately hired replacements to ensure continuity of services. Therefore, suggesting that neonatal deaths have increased as a result of the industrial action is both misleading and untrue,” he said.
The county pointed out that official hospital data and information from credible organisations such as Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST) do not support KMPDU’s claims.
Even the hospitals cited in the union’s report reportedly have no records confirming the alleged deaths.
While acknowledging that even one newborn death is tragic, CEC Mbuthia said the figures circulated are exaggerated and designed to paint Kiambu’s healthcare system as being in crisis.
Data from the Ministry of Health, he added, shows that Kiambu has some of the lowest neonatal mortality rates in the country, recording an average of 8 deaths per 1,000 live births, well below the national average of 17 and the Sustainable Development Goals target of 12.
Highlighting the county’s performance, Mbuthia noted that Kiambu Level V Hospital was recognised at the United Nations General Assembly for recording zero maternal deaths between January and July this year.
He also emphasised that neonatal units in the county are staffed by qualified consultants and specialist nursing officers around the clock, with Kiambu Level V Hospital being one of only 13 health facilities in Kenya working with NEST to eliminate newborn deaths.
The CEC further criticised the Ministry of Health for intervening in county health operations, particularly in recalling interns without conducting proper assessments of their training centres.
“We find it odd that the Ministry chose to withdraw the interns in haste, without first conducting the requisite situation assessment of the internship centre,” Mbuthia stated.
In addition, the health Chief urged residents to remain calm, stressing that if 136 newborns had indeed died in such a short period, there would have been a public outcry.
“Where is the evidence? Making claims is easy, but proof is what matters,” Mbuthia said, adding that health workers must uphold their professional oath to protect life and tell the truth.
The dispute comes after KMPDU reported that more than 100 infants and five mothers have died since the strike began in May.
The union blamed the county for failing to meet salary demands, while the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers highlighted the hardships faced by patients seeking care in neighbouring counties.
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