12 newborns share special day with President Uhuru

Ms Jane Wangui holds her new son Paul Kung’u at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital Nairobi where Uhuru was also born

Osman Mbage and President Uhuru Kenyatta may both be males but the two have two things in common; they were born at Pumwani Maternity Hospital and they are the first males of their mothers.

At least 12 babies were born at the hospital on Tuesday, the day Mr Kenyatta was being sworn in as the fourth president of Kenya.

An elated 21-year-old Ms Khadija Ali, Osman Mbage’s mother said she was happy her maiden delivery produced a baby boy.

“I will consult with his father whether we can name him Uhuru because his birth on this day is significant,” she said.

Another mother, Ms Sarah Nyambura Maina, was among the women who delivered on the historic day.

“I see it as a blessing to have given birth on the same day a new president is sworn in. I am very excited,” Ms Maina said at the hospital as she cuddled her new born, Celine Kabura.

However, the promises made by the incoming government still reverberates in her mind. “Now that the Jubilee government is already in place, we want to urge them to fully implement their promises especially the pledge on free maternity for women,” she added.

“It is embarrassing to hear that a mother has been detained here at the hospital after giving birth because she cannot afford to pay the bill,” she went on.

The hospital charges mothers Sh5,000 for deliveries without complications.

Her hopes represent those of others like her.

Ms Jane Wangui was almost certain that her new born baby Paul Kung’u will adopt either “Uhuru” or “Muigai” as his other name as a way of remembering the significance of his birthday. “He is my third child and I won’t mind adding Uhuru or Muigai to his name. I am very happy to have given birth on such a historic day,” she said

Ms Keziah Njau, the hospital’s officer in charge said they were hoping the new president would help them improve the quality of their services.

“Because he was also born here, we expect him to help us a lot. Our laboratories need to be equipped and we need an ICU as well so that we can provide better services,” she said.

Pumwani’s tired cement building has seen few upgrades since it opened in 1926 and the management is now looking to the new government to help the health institution where more than 50 babies are delivered daily.

-Daily Nation