Former President Mwai Kibaki to undergo minor surgery, family source reveals

Former President Mwai Kibaki. He was last evening expected to undergo a minor surgery at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg where he has been admitted. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Former President Mwai Kibaki was last evening expected to undergo a minor surgery at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg where he has been admitted.

A family source yesterday told The Standard from South Africa that the procedure was to remove a blood clot in one of his veins.

By the time of going to press, there was no confirmation whether it had been done or not.

However, the source said Mr Kibaki’s condition had generally improved and that he was even hosting visitors in hospital ward.

When he was first admitted to the  hospital, no one, apart from close family members and doctors accompanying him were allowed into his ward.

“Only some few friends and other relatives have been able to have a conversation with mzee at the hospital. He is very jovial and upbeat,” said the source.

The source said doctors had managed to stabilise Kibaki’s condition as he spent his fourth day in hospital.

“If this minor procedure was not necessary, mzee would be out of hospital by now. Doctors have given him a clean bill of health. Kenyans should know he is doing well,” the source added.

The source revealed that this was the second surgery the former President was undergoing to remove a blood clot following the accident he was involved in in 2002.

Constant updates

“The former President has been under medication through out since that accident,” the source claimed.

No information was forthcoming from the family as well as State House, which had promised to release constant updates on the state of Kibaki’s health.

Sources at State House revealed that a statement updating the public on his status had been prepared but could not be released to the media following opposition by close family members.

“The Kibakis want the matter out of public limelight since mzee has preferred to lead a quiet life after retirement. Information would be released when it is absolutely necessary,” said thesource.

Kibaki was flown to South Africa on Sunday afternoon after spending a night at Karen Hospital.

He was admitted to Sunninghill, one of the most prestigious hospitals in South Africa.

The facility specialises in heart conditions.

The hospital is described as a top cardiology hospital in Johannesburg and boasts of the best medical teams and care for its high-end patients, according to its website.

“Cardiology has become synonymous with the name Netcare Sunninghill Hospital,” the website says.

The former President who is the UNESCO Special Envoy for Water, a role he has actively played, has been going for frequent check ups at Karen Hospital since he retired in 2013.