A Story of Hope, Love, and Triumph: Preterm Twins Defy the Odds at KNH

For most parents, holding a newborn child is a moment of pure joy. For Kenneth Otieno and Vivian Anyango, residents of Athi River in Machakos County, that moment came after a long and emotionally draining journey marked by repeated loss, uncertainty, and extraordinary resilience.

The couple’s path to parenthood had been fraught with heartbreak. After losing two previous pregnancies, Vivian’s third pregnancy was filled with both hope and anxiety. Their fears were realized on 26 September 2025 when, at just 25 weeks’ gestation, Vivian went into premature labour and was urgently referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for specialized care.

At KNH, a multidisciplinary medical team moved swiftly to stabilize the mother and prepare for an extremely high-risk delivery. Four days later, Vivian delivered extremely preterm twins, born far earlier than expected and weighing far below normal birth weight. Twin One weighed 750 grams, while Twin Two weighed only 650 grams, placing both infants in a critical fight for survival from their very first moments of life.

Immediately after birth, the twins were admitted to the Newborn Unit (NBU), where they were placed on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines to support their breathing. Their condition remained delicate, and every day brought new challenges.

For more than three months, the twins were nurtured in the NBU under round-the-clock specialized care. Vivian committed herself fully to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a skin-to-skin method proven to improve outcomes for premature infants. Kenneth, demonstrating unwavering devotion, visited the hospital daily for four months, actively participating in his babies’ care and providing Kangaroo Mother Care himself — a powerful testament to a father’s love and resilience.

The journey was far from smooth. At their most vulnerable point, the twins’ weights dropped to alarming lows of 550 grams and 500 grams. However, through consistent medical attention, infection control, nutritional support, and successful breastfeeding, the babies gradually began to gain strength.

Their recovery marked a remarkable turnaround. By the time of discharge, Twin One weighed 1,830 grams while Twin Two weighed 1,790 grams — more than double their lowest recorded weights. Throughout the long hospital stay, Vivian remained a pillar of strength, supported by her husband and the dedicated medical team.

On 20 January 2026, after spending over four months in hospital, Kenneth and Vivian finally walked out of Kenyatta National Hospital carrying both of their healthy babies — a moment that symbolized hope, perseverance, and the power of quality healthcare.

The milestone is historic for the institution, marking the first documented case at KNH where a set of extremely preterm twins was delivered and successfully survived to discharge.

This success was made possible through the dedication of a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Florence Murila, Dr. Wairimu Kimani, Head of the Newborn Unit, Dr. Miriam Weru, and Dr. Mary Waiyego. The nursing care was spearheaded by Ms. Beatrice Mukhola alongside the entire NBU and KMC nursing team, with critical nutritional support provided by Ms. Valerie Maleche and Mr. Daniel Sang.

Kenyatta National Hospital reaffirmed its commitment to saving lives and supporting families through the most challenging moments.

“At KNH, our mission is to guide mothers safely through complex pregnancies and give every premature baby a fighting chance — not just to survive, but to thrive,” the hospital said in a statement.