Forty born in Nairobi as thousands mark Christmas day

By Standard Team

Forty children were born on Christmas day at the Kenyatta National Hospital and Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi.

Twenty-seven children were born at KNH, where the hospital management presented the parents with gift hampers for the newborn children.

The hospital’s Public Relations Officer Simon Ithai said the parents were given soaps, lotions and clothes as Christmas presents.

He said the first child was born at the hospital some minutes after midnight and was named Pauline Wanjohi, followed by Magdaline Kimathi at about 2am. "We did not have cases of twins but all the births were successful," said Ithai.

Thirteen babies were born at Pumwani, which is among the largest referral maternity hospitals in the country.

Mr Alex Kinyanjui, who is the nursing officer in-charge at the facility, said the hospital had admitted more than 35 expectant women on Christmas eve and day. "It is normal to have many children born at the hospital daily but Christmas is a unique day because it marks the birth of Jesus Christ and the number of children born is made public," said Kinyanjui.

Elsewhere, Christmas festivities in Eldoret and Iten towns were hindered by heavy rainfall and scarcity of means of transport.

The rains, which began late afternoon, disrupted outdoor parties that many families had organised at popular resorts. Families had to cut short their celebrations at the popular Poa Place and Kerio View Hotel in Eldoret and Iten to seek shelter from the rains, which continued into the night.

Camping sites

Others who toured camping sites around Eldoret were drenched in the rains, as they waited for the few matatus that operated. "I had taken my children to a camp but I’m afraid they may get sick after being rained on for hours," said Ms Susan Cherop.

Only a few vehicles plied the populous Langas and Iten routes, and most of them closed business early.

Internally displaced persons at the Yamumbi transitional camp endured a day of rainy weather.

Earlier, Christians flocked churches where they prayed for peace and reconciliation in the North Rift.

Bishop Cornelius Korir of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret called for tolerance among communities in the cosmopolitan region.

"As we move into the new year let all Christians in the region preach peace and pray for stability," he said.

In Nakuru, many attended church services as others flocked entertainment spots.

Pubs in the town did booming business as most were fully packed.

"We are taking this time to celebrate with friends and family as we get to meet friends after a long time," said Mr John Gitonga, a reveller.

Stories by Isaiah Lucheli, Dedan Okanga, Victor Mukele and Philip Mwakio