Kibera parents allege medical negligence in death of 8-month-old son

Tabitha clinic in Kibra. /TIMON OTIENO

A family in Kibera is accusing a private clinic within the same area of medical negligence following the death of their eight-month-old baby, alleging that staff at the facility delayed treatment because they could not immediately pay admission fees.

The baby, identified as Adriel, was taken to the Tabitha Medical Clinic, a private facility, after his condition deteriorated.

His father, Victor Mambala, claims they waited for hours without the child being examined by a doctor, claims the clinic management has dismissed.

Mambala alleged that instead of receiving urgent medical attention, his wife was told the baby was thirsty and was given a glass of water.

“The response they gave to my wife and baby alarmed me. The baby was not examined, and they told her the baby was thirsty and needed water,” he said.

“Giving water was not the issue, but I expected them to at least inject fluids directly into the veins.”

Mambala described the treatment as inhuman, alleging that several clinicians entered the ward, observed the baby and left without administering treatment for almost four hours.

He said he later confronted one of the clinicians over the lack of intervention.

“The doctor came in, and I asked him if there was no other way they could attend to my child because water alone may not be enough,” he said.

“He rudely interrupted me, saying I could not teach him his job. When I asked to be referred to another facility, he walked away.”

With no alternative offered, Mambala said he continued giving the baby water as instructed.

“I was left with no option. After the baby took the last drop, he coughed twice and then lowered his head,” he said.

Mambala further alleged that hospital staff only attempted to intervene after the baby had died, claiming a clinician tried chest compressions after Adriel was already unresponsive.

He also claimed the hospital later demanded Sh5,000 to transport the baby’s body to a morgue.

In response, hospital spokesperson Maureen Onyango dismissed the claims, disputing the timeline given by the family.

“The four-hour period mentioned is incorrect,” she said.

“The parents arrived at our hospital at 10.07 am, and by 10.50 am, unfortunately, the baby had passed on. That is a period of 43 minutes, and we have CCTV footage to corroborate this.”

Onyango said the baby was severely dehydrated upon arrival and that clinicians administered oral rehydration salts mixed with water. However, she declined to disclose the diagnosis, citing patient confidentiality.

She added that the Sh5,000 requested was to facilitate transportation of the body because the clinic does not have a mortuary, but said the parents declined the offer, indicating they had made alternative arrangements.

Victor disputed this explanation, saying the amount raised suspicion.

He said he later paid Sh3,000 for a hearse, reinforcing his belief that the clinic prioritised payment over care.

Speaking to The Star, Dr Dennis Kinoti, who oversees clinical services at the clinic, said he intended to offer financial assistance to the bereaved family to help with burial arrangements.

His remarks have raised questions about whether similar support is extended to other families who lose loved ones at the facility.

However, Dr Kinoti defended the move, saying it was a personal gesture of sympathy.

The incident has sparked public concern and renewed debate over emergency care, patient rights and alleged pay-before-treatment practices in private health facilities, particularly in low-income areas.

As of publication, no official investigation findings had been released, and the family says it is still seeking justice for their son.