NAIROBI, KENYA – In a remarkable display of medical innovation, a multidisciplinary team at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has successfully performed a world-first facial reconstructive surgery on seven-year-old Ian Baraka, who suffered devastating injuries during a bandit attack. The complex, nine-hour procedure, which took place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, has not only restored hope to the young boy and his family but also positioned Kenya as a leader in specialized healthcare on the continent.

Ian’s life was irrevocably changed on December 23, 2023, when a stray bullet from a bandit raid at the Isiolo-Meru border struck him in the face. The attack destroyed his upper jaw, fractured his lower jaw, and caused extensive soft tissue damage, robbing him of his ability to eat, speak, and live a normal childhood. After initial stabilization, he was transferred to KNH, where he spent three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and has since undergone extensive rehabilitation in preparation for the historic operation.

A Landmark Medical Achievement

The groundbreaking nature of the surgery lies in the use of custom-designed, patient-specific titanium implants created with 3D printing technology. This advanced approach was critical as the implants are designed to grow with Ian, a crucial factor for a pediatric patient. According to the surgical team, this is the first time such a procedure, known as craniofacial reconstruction using patient-specific growing implants, has been performed on a child anywhere in the world.

A team of esteemed Kenyan specialists from KNH and the University of Nairobi (UoN) led the operation. The team included Professor Symon Guthua, the Lead Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon; Dr. Margaret Mwasha, a Lead Consultant Prosthodontist; and Dr. Andrew Okiriamu, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Speaking before the procedure, Dr. Okiriamu explained the staged approach, noting that this initial surgery would restore facial function and appearance, with more definitive surgeries planned when Ian is at least 18 years old and his bone growth is complete.

So What for Kenya?

This achievement is a significant milestone for Kenya's healthcare sector. KNH Board Chair, Mr. Abbas Gullet, hailed the surgery as proof that Kenya possesses the skills and innovation to handle complex medical cases that were previously referred abroad. This reduces the substantial financial and emotional burden on families seeking treatment overseas and builds confidence in local medical capabilities. The successful operation underscores the importance of investing in local manufacturing of medical implants to make such advanced treatments more affordable and accessible for more Kenyans.

The journey to the operating theatre was made possible not only by medical expertise but also by community support. Dr. Branice Munyasa, a resident in maxillofacial surgery, took on a personal challenge to raise funds for Ian's costly procedure by running in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon and the Chicago Marathon. Her efforts, which raised over KSh 750,000, highlighted the immense cost of the specialized imported implants, which were initially quoted at 10,000 Euros.

Following the surgery, KNH officials confirmed that Ian was recovering well in the ICU under close observation. His mother, Daisey Kinyua, who had described her son's survival as a miracle, expressed profound gratitude to the medical team for giving him a chance to live a normal life, free from the stigma and bullying he had endured. Ian’s case stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and the remarkable potential of home-grown medical solutions in Kenya.