The family of a nurse who died after undergoing a caesarean section at a hospital in Kisumu is calling for an independent investigation, raising concerns about the care she received after surgery.
Lynn Atieno, 31, died on April 22, 2026 after delivering twin boys through an elective caesarean section. She was employed as a nurse at the facility. She died days after the procedure, with the family questioning the quality of post-operative care provided.
Her death has devastated the family amid renewed concerns about maternal healthcare and patient monitoring in public hospitals.
Lynn's relatives say she may not have been adequately monitored after surgery and believe she experienced excessive bleeding while in the ward.
The family said she had been admitted for close observation for nearly five weeks due to pregnancy-related hypertension before doctors recommended the operation.
An autopsy report showed Lynn died from excessive bleeding following the caesarean section.
The report, prepared by consultant pathologist Massawa Thaddeus Jude, indicated that she suffered massive internal bleeding, with approximately 3,000cc of blood found in the abdominal cavity.
The report further noted severe pallor and extensive blood clots, concluding that excessive post-operative bleeding was the cause of death.
Family spokesperson Caroline Olonde said Lynn appeared stable immediately after surgery but claimed that medical staff did not closely monitor her condition afterwards.
“She was okay after the operation, but from the theatre she was allegedly left without proper monitoring,” Olonde said.
She said the family is seeking answers from both the hospital administration and the doctor who conducted the surgery.
“We want a clear explanation of what exactly happened and whether enough was done to save her life,” she added.
Relatives also questioned why Lynn, whom they described as a high-risk patient, was reportedly transferred to the ward instead of being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for specialised observation.
Another family member, Marlene Juma, described Lynn as a determined woman who had worked hard to build her nursing career and was excited about raising her newborn children.
“She had dreams and plans for her children. She believed everything would be fine,” Juma said.
She said Lynn had informed relatives she had been resuscitated twice after the operation, though the family says they did not receive a detailed explanation regarding the circumstances that preceded her deterioration.
The family also raised concerns about staffing levels at the facility, saying some patients may at times be left under the care of trainees without sufficient supervision from senior personnel.
“As a family, we want justice for Lynn and for the two children she has left behind,” Juma said.
Kisumu County Executive for Health Gregory Ganda defended the hospital, saying Lynn’s condition had already placed her at significant risk.
Ganda said Lynn suffered severe preeclampsia while carrying twins, conditions he said are among the leading causes of maternal complications and excessive bleeding.
“She had multiple risk factors that increased the possibility of severe bleeding,” he said.
Ganda stated that Lynn had been under specialised medical care and attended to by senior professionals, including a gynaecologist and an anaesthesiologist.
“She was managed by experienced doctors. Unfortunately, despite all interventions, she passed away. The staff are deeply affected because she was also their colleague,” he said.
He said claims of negligence can only be determined through formal investigations by relevant professional bodies.
“Negligence is a medico-legal matter that can only be established after investigations by an independent medical board,” Ganda said.
He added that maternal deaths remain a major challenge in Kenya and across Africa despite ongoing efforts to improve maternal healthcare services.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for independent investigations into maternal care standards at the referral hospital, with the family urging health authorities and medical regulators to establish the circumstances surrounding Lynn’s death.
Her relatives say no compensation can replace the loss suffered by the newborn twins.
They added that all they want is the truth about what happened.
