KNH Performs Life-Saving Surgery On Conjoined Twins

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has successfully conducted emergency surgery on conjoined twin babies who were referred from Naivasha County Hospital shortly after birth.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 10, KNH CEO Evanson Kamura said the hospital is currently managing the twins, who were born via caesarean section on August 13, 2025. The pair had a combined birth weight of 3.6 kilograms.

The babies were transferred to KNH’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at 3:00am on August 14 after doctors established that they were conjoined at the abdomen and pelvis. Initial examinations also revealed that they had no anal openings.

To save their lives, a team of specialized pediatric surgeons performed an emergency colostomy on August 17 to create an opening that could relieve intestinal obstruction and allow the babies to pass stool.

“Further tests have revealed that the twins share a single large intestine. They also present with congenital heart disease, impaired liver function and a mild blood infection, all of which are being managed by the hospital’s multidisciplinary team,” said the CEO.

The surgery was led by Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. Joel Lessan, assisted by Dr. Tim Jumbi, Dr. Caroline Mwende and Dr. Tigst Gebre. They were supported by theatre service assistants Emily Munene, Bernard Ayunga and biomedical engineer Steve Belle, alongside nursing officers James Shikiku, Samuel Orina, Stella Gaitho and Catherine Wawira.

Kamura confirmed that the twins are currently in stable condition and remain under close observation.

“The twins continue to receive specialized care from a full team of neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, radiologists, psychologists and social workers,” he said.