Driver seeks help after he is gifted with five bundles of joy

It was a blend of joy and uncertainty for Simon Ndung’u after his 25-year-old wife gave birth to five babies at the Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital on Tuesday night throwing their young marriage into a spin.

Speaking to the press at the hospital, Ndung’u said he expected three babies going by a medical scan that had been conducted earlier.

“We didn’t expect it. It is only the last scan that showed that they were five,” he said.

Ndung’u, a matatu driver, said even his wife — Margaret Wairimu — was surprised with the occurrence, likening the birth of the quintuplets to a miracle.

“Ni baraka. Ni Mungu ametenda, (It’s a blessing. This is God’s work),” she said.

Further examination

Ndung’u appealed for assistance from well-wishers citing the challenges of raising such a number of new born babies.

 “We never expected five babies,” he said. Wairimu, who also has a four-year-old daughter, was still recuperating in the ward.

Speaking to the press at her office, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr Aisha Maina, said that the young mother was brought to the hospital on January 29 complaining of some discomfort. “She was brought in from the casualty section and after consultation and further examination we realised that she had multiple pregnancy which was at high risk,” said Dr Maina. “We then took her in as an in-patient for further observation”.

Maina said that the young mother developed labour pains on January 31 and upon examination, the doctor in-charge opted for caesarean section owing to the complications involved. “She was taken to the theatre. It was a successful delivery and she was able to deliver five babies, one boy and four girls,” she said.

“The babies have been admitted at our new born unit for specialised care,” she stated, adding that the babies were delivered pre-term, that is; at 25 weeks as opposed to the normal 37-40 weeks.

Nakuru nominated MCA Leah Serem was one of the well-wishers who visited the hospital to lend a hand to the young couple.  She said she was moved by the story noting that she herself gave birth to triplets some years ago. “I am a mother of triplets so I have the experience and that is why I came here to be with the mother… She is young and needs support to bring up her babies,” she said adding that Nakuru leaders caucus have pledge to support the family.

Mixture of feelings

In Gachika village, Gatundu South of Kiambu county, it was a mixture of feelings after a mother delivered three bouncing babies at the Gatundu Level Five Hospital.

Grace Wanjira Mwangi who prematurely delivered the three female infants is now a mother of five.

The 29-year-old who spoke to journalists at the hospital revealed that the journey has been thorny owing to a few complications she suffered in the early stages of her pregnancy. Wanjira who was expecting one baby only shockingly delivered the triplets on Thursday, January 26, 2023 through a successful caesarian section.

The infants, weighing 2kg, 1.9kg and 1.4kgs brings to five the number of Wanjira’s children- all who are females. “I got the baby when my pregnancy was at eight months and one day. It’s not been any easy for us as my husband is a hustler who thrives in menial jobs, whenever they are available,” said Wanjira.

The children’s father James Mwangi, 39, the delivery came as a shocker as he has never thought of siring more than one child.

Mwangi who has no formal employment said that even paying his hospital bill has proven to be a daunting task as the family has no insurance cover.

The father of five is now appealing to well-wishers to assist them raise the babies and clear the hospital bill to facilitate a smooth discharge.

“I’m grateful to God for this special blessing. The journey has not been easy since my wife conceived. She has not been working for the last six months owing to complications that at some point got her hospitalised,” stated the father.

“My plea to well-wishers, kindly helps me support my wife in bringing up the babies and clearing the hospital bill. We consume everything I earn from menial jobs because as you all know, working in the farms cannot guarantee you good pay,” added the father.

The family requested Kiambu Woman representative Anne Wamuratha to support them in the first phase of bringing up the children.