24-year-old woman gives birth to quadruplets

A mother in West Pokot has given birth to quadruplets.

Penina Chenangat, 24, and her husband Charles Kalemunyang, 30, now have eight children.

Peter Detee, a neighbour and friend to the family, said giving birth to many children in the Pokot culture was a sign of blessings and a good indication of a stable relationship for a couple.

“We are happy that despite the challenges we face, especially drought, we can still get such blessings,” he said.

Despite having the early Christmas gift in their family, the couple's joy is dampened by concerns that they may not be able to feed the family.

The family lives in a humble home in Chepukati village. They couple and its eight children live in a grass-thatched. All eight children are aged below 10 years.

Mr Kalemunyang, who is jobless, has urged the Government, donors and well-wishers to help him raise the family comfortably.

“I have sold all my goats and sheep to feed my family. When my wife delivered the quadruplets, I was overjoyed," said Kalemunyang, adding: "But later I discovered it was hard for me to take care of the family. My wife has to be fed well so that she can breastfeed the babies.”

Ms Chenangat was, however, full of joy when journalists working in West Pokot County made an impromptu visit to her home on Sunday.

They donated foodstuff and household items to the family for Christmas.

Standard Group's Irisheel Shanzu said as journalists, they resorted to supporting and empowering other women. “We shall continue giving her our support,” she said.