Piece by: Naomi Waweru

11 October 2022

• Our attention has been drawn to the story circulating online regarding a child admitted at KNH with a fork lodged in his skull- KNH

• Baby was allegedly 'dug' with a fork jembe by another kid.

Kenyatta National Hospital has responded to a post circulating on Facebook of a baby who was admitted with a 'shamba' fork lodged in his head.

"Our attention has been drawn to the story circulating online regarding a child admitted at KNH with a fork lodged in his skull," read part of the statement.

According to them, the child had already lost a lot of blood preventing clotting- delaying the surgical procedure.

"We wish to assure members of the public as follows: The patient had lost a lot of blood and as a result, the clotting process was not occurring as expected, thereby, delaying the surgical procedure as this would have been dangerous to the patient. The patient has since been stabilized and is currently undergoing a delicate operation in KNH theatres. We thank you for your concern and we assure you that the child is under the best care by our teams," the statement said.

The statement was issued following viral reports that a child had been admitted at the facility with a fork lodged in his skull after being stranded at the casualty for over 24 hours without proper help.

According to a Facebook post by Karangu Muraya the kid had been "dug" (literally) in the head with a gardening fork by another kid.

Karangu who got the news from a Cyrus Maina who helped give the child first aid by wrapping the kid's badly injured head with a bandage.

He mentioned that the kid had been moved to KNH from Thika level 4 hospital.

"They are still at the casualty not yet taken to the theater since apparently there is another emergency so she should wait...I am wondering what is the definition of emergency in our govt hospital.....", a frustrated Karangu stated.

The virality of the post prompted KNH to issue a statement - with a clarification on the said emergency.