Auditor General Reveals Deaths of 50 Children, 11 Babies and 7 Women at KU Hospital

Nancy Gathungu has revealed alarming mortality figures at Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, where dozens of patients died during the financial year ending June 2025.

According to the audit report, 50 children under the age of five, 11 newborn babies, and seven women died at the hospital. The figures emerged from a review of mortality records during the period under audit.

The report states that the hospital recorded 434 live births during the financial year. Out of these births, 11 newborns died within their first 28 days. Seven women also died during childbirth.

These numbers translate into worrying mortality ratios. The neonatal mortality ratio stands at 25 deaths per 1,000 births. The maternal mortality ratio stands at 1,613 deaths per 100,000 live births. The under-five mortality ratio stands at 115 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The report notes that these figures exceed global targets outlined under the Sustainable Development Goals. The global target aims to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 births and neonatal deaths to 12 per 1,000 births.

The audit also exposes serious financial problems at the hospital. The facility reported a deficit of Ksh526.4 million during the financial year. This followed a previous deficit of Ksh1.46 billion.

The Auditor General warned that continuous losses could affect the hospital’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The report states that the hospital is technically insolvent.

The audit further highlights operational challenges affecting service delivery. Investigators identified shortages of medical supplies after reviewing inventory records. The hospital also experienced rejected medical claims worth Ksh41.4 million from the Social Health Authority due to incomplete documentation and services exceeding insurance limits.

The report also shows that cancer patients wait an average of 62 days before receiving treatment appointments. Cardiology patients face even longer delays, waiting an average of 82 days.

These findings raise serious concerns about healthcare delivery, management systems, and financial stability at one of Kenya’s major referral hospitals.