A family in Nairobi’s Kariobangi estate is demanding justice after a routine procedure turned into a fight for survival. A 17-year-old girl is currently in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) following an alleged botched surgery at a private clinic in Kiamaiko.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has launched an immediate probe. Preliminary reports suggest the girl visited the clinic for a minor ailment but was rushed into theatre. She emerged with severe, unexplained wounds and complications that the clinic could not manage.

"They Ruined Her Life"

"She walked in on her own two feet," the girl's mother told Citizen TV. "Now she is in ICU." The family accuses the clinic of negligence and attempting to cover up the error by delaying the transfer to a referral hospital.

• The Clinic's Defense: The private facility has denied liability, claiming they followed all protocols. However, residents have staged protests outside the building, alleging this is not the first case of malpractice at the center.
• The Regulatory Gap: The incident shines a spotlight on the proliferation of unregulated "medical centers" in informal settlements. These facilities often operate with unqualified staff, offering cheap but dangerous services to desperate residents.

A System on Trial

As the girl fights for her life, the spotlight turns to the KMPDC. Will they shut down the facility if negligence is proven, or will this be another case filed away in the archives of medical impunity? For the community in Mathare, patience is running thin.