Wamatangi grilled over the death of Baby Trivas Maina who had a forked jembe lodged in his head

Kiambu Governor Hon. Kimani Wamatangi appeared before the Senate Committee on Health today to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the passing on of Baby Trivas Maina who had a forked jembe lodged in his head. Governor Wamatangi, who appeared before the Committee led by Sen. Mandago, addressed various questions raised by the Committee and simultaneously admited that there exists some challenges in the Health Sector in his County that his Administration will be addressing in due course. The Governor, who was accompanied by several members of staff from Kiambu County among them, Health Chief Executive Committee Member, Chief Officer, Acting Director of Medical Services Personnel who handled the late baby Trivas before his unfortunate demise, told the Committee that his Team did what it could to help save the minor`s life then later referred him to Kenyatta National Hospital after they were convinced that he needed specialized care at a higher facility. “Whereas Thika Level 5 has capacity to provide a wide range of surgical and other specialized services, it does not have the requisite capacity necessary to comprehensively manage the nature of injury that Master Travis Maina had sustained,” admitted Governor Wamatangi.

Senators had wondered why Thika Level 5 Hospital could not handle the minor`s case despite the facility`s status calling on Governor Wamatangi to delve into the issue of provision of health services to curb loss of lives. The Health Committee through a statement, sought by Sen. Hamida Kibwana, had listed several questions that needed answers from Governor Wamatangi among them the health facility that the Late Master Travis was first presented to, first aid services given at the health facility, chronology of events that led to the minors referral to Thika Level 5 Hospital then later Kenyatta National Hospital. Members of the Committee also wanted the Governor to shed more light on the capacity of Thika Level 5 Hospital and the progress his county has made in the realization of Article 43 read with Article 21 of the constitution as regards the right to emergency treatment. Personnel who had accompanied the Governor made their submissions to the Committee giving reasons supporting the path they took in the Minor`s case. The Committee which is investigating the circumstances that led to the demise of Baby Trivas Maina has so far interviewed the deceased`s parents, Governor Wamatangi, Thika Level 5 Hospital personnel and is scheduled to question Kenyatta National Hospital over the matter. The late Travis Maina died on October 11 2022 with the deceased`s relatives alleging that their son was left unattended at Kenyatta National Hospital for approximately 14 hours. Senate Health Committee launched investigations into the incident on October 25, with the Committee Chair Sen. Jackson Mandago assuring the family and Kenyans at large of justice at the end of the exercise.