A sombre farewell has been held for Mercy Kanini’s five babies, days after their highly publicised birth and subsequent deaths following complications linked to extreme prematurity. The quintuplets’ bodies have now left All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi for Migori County, where they will be buried at their father’s rural home.
Highlights
- Mercy Kanini’s five babies were remembered during a memorial service in Nairobi.
- The quintuplets were born prematurely at about 25 weeks.
- Each baby weighed less than one kilogramme at birth.
- All five babies later died despite receiving specialised neonatal care.
- Their bodies are being taken to Migori for burial.
Main Story
A Sombre Farewell
Family members, friends, church leaders and well-wishers gathered at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Thursday, September 24, to honour Mercy Kanini’s five babies.
The memorial service marked the end of a heartbreaking journey for the family, whose joy over the rare birth of quintuplets was followed by the loss of all five children within days.
The babies — Bravin, Bravlyn, Bravelle, Bravina and Braelyn — are now being taken to Migori County, where they will be laid to rest at their father’s rural home.
Born Extremely Premature
Kanini, 28, gave birth to the five babies at Thika Level Five Hospital following a rare vaginal delivery that attracted widespread public attention.
The children were born at around 25 weeks of pregnancy and weighed between approximately 630 and 800 grammes.
Because they were born extremely prematurely and required specialised neonatal support, the babies were transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital.
At KNH, they were placed under the care of a multidisciplinary team comprising neonatal specialists, nurses and other healthcare workers.
Family Loses All Five Babies
Despite the efforts of the medical team, the newborns developed severe complications associated with extreme prematurity.
Four of the babies died first, leaving one child as the family’s only remaining hope.
The family and well-wishers continued hoping that the fifth baby would pull through.
That hope was later lost when KNH confirmed the death of the final surviving infant.
The family was therefore left grieving the loss of all five children shortly after their birth.
Public Stands With Kanini
Kanini’s story had touched many Kenyans, with members of the public closely following updates on the health of the babies.
Among those who offered support was comedian and activist Eric Omondi, who became involved in efforts to stand with Kanini and her family during the difficult period.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko also visited KNH to offer his support to the family and was received by Omondi.
Final Journey to Migori
The memorial service gave those who had followed the family’s story an opportunity to mourn alongside Kanini and her relatives.
Kanini, who comes from Juja in Kiambu County, had remained in hospital after giving birth and during the difficult period following the deaths of her children.
The five babies will now be laid to rest in Migori, bringing a painful chapter to a close for a family whose story began with the joy and hope surrounding an extraordinarily rare birth.
Five little lives may have been brief, but the love, hope and memories they brought to their family will remain long after their final journey home.
