Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko Renames Pumwani Maternity Hospital after Himself

Governor Mike Sonko has announced that Nairobi's Pumwani Maternity Hospital has been renamed Sonko Pumwani Women’s Hospital & College of Nursing & Midwifery.

In an announcement, the Governor said the renaming follows a deal struck with two hospitals for upgrade of the medical facility.

“I’m happy to announce a new partnership deal with Agha Khan University Hospital & Nairobi West Hospital to transform Pumwani Maternity Hospital. Open link for more details of the upcoming new Sonko Pumwani Women’s Hospital & College of Nursing & Midwifery,” Sonko said in a social media post Friday evening.

The new development comes a week after the hospital was placed on the spot over the deaths of 12 infants under unclear circumstances.

The deaths of the babies was discovered following Sonko's impromptu visit to the facility after receiving reports that hospital staff had allegedly switched off machines where the kids had been put.

Following the incident, Sonko suspended top officials at Pumwani Maternity Hospital including the entire board. The facility's Superintendent, Catherine Mutinda, Administrators Zadock Angahya and George Nyadimo and obstetrician gynecologist James Kamau were some of those sent home.

“All those responsible for this negligence will face full force of the law. I’m not going to allow this to happen to our mothers, they must take responsibility for the deaths,” said Sonko after discovery of the bodies.

The 12 corpses were found stuffed in separate polythene bags – one containing six bodies, another with five and the last with one body.