KIAMBU, Kenya – A woman from Juja, Kiambu County, has delivered five babies through normal delivery at Thika Level Five Hospital in what doctors describe as a rare quintuplet birth.
Mercy Kanini successfully delivered the five babies naturally, making the birth one of only five such cases reportedly recorded in Kenya’s history.
Quintuplets are typically delivered through Caesarean section because carrying and delivering five babies presents significant risks to both the mother and newborns.
Kanini delivers five babies naturally
Kanini said she delivered the first baby shortly after arriving at the hospital, after which medical staff began preparing her for a Caesarean section.
However, the plan changed after she was examined and doctors determined that she could deliver the remaining babies normally.
“After some time, I don’t know what happened, they said I could deliver normally. I was very happy on learning that I had delivered five babies,” she said.
Kanini said she was not frightened during the delivery and praised the medical team for the care she and her newborns received.
“I was not afraid, the way I have been attended to has made me happy,” she said.
She said the babies were placed in nurseries and received medical attention after birth.
Third pregnancy for Kanini
The quintuplet birth was Kanini’s third pregnancy. She previously gave birth to a boy and a girl.
She did not disclose whether the quintuplets were conceived naturally or through fertility treatment.
Natural conception of quintuplets without fertility treatment is exceptionally rare, estimated at about one in 55 million pregnancies.
Quintuplets are also frequently born prematurely and may have low birth weights, often requiring specialised medical care.
Husband calls birth a miracle
Kanini’s husband, Evans Nyamhanga, described the arrival of the five babies as a miracle.
“I was expecting four babies but God has been a God of miracles, we have got five,” he said.
While celebrating the birth, Nyamhanga said the family was also facing financial challenges associated with caring for five newborns.
He appealed to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other well-wishers for support.
“I wish to appeal to Governor Wamatangi to stand with me although he has already provided me with an ambulance, and to anyone else willing to stand with me I will be thankful,” he said.
Rare quintuplet births
Kanini’s delivery comes months after another quintuplet birth in Ethiopia.
In May 2026, 35-year-old Bedriya Adem gave birth to four boys and a girl at Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital in Harari Regional State.
The five babies weighed between 1.3kg and 1.4kg and were delivered through Caesarean section.
Hospital medical director Dr Mohammed Nur Abdulahi told the BBC that Adem had conceived naturally without in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
IVF can increase the likelihood of multiple births when more than one embryo is transferred.
Kanini’s successful natural delivery of five babies adds to the small number of quintuplet births recorded in Kenya and highlights the specialised care required when managing high-risk multiple pregnancies.
