A family has accused Kakamega County Referral Hospital of negligence, alleging that delays in receiving emergency medical attention contributed to the death of their 17-year-old son.
Edith Khayanga, the mother of Eugene Olutira, a Form Three student at Mautuma Boys Senior School in Lugari Sub-County, told WKT that she believes negligence by hospital staff contributed to the worsening of her son’s condition, claiming they delayed emergency intervention and charged the family KSh 24,000 for an ambulance that took a long time to transfer him to a private hospital in Eldoret.
Sudden illness and failure in emergency response
Khayanga said before his death, her son began complaining of a severe headache before suddenly becoming weak. She immediately contacted his father, who was attending a funeral nearby.
“His father rushed him to Apex Clinic Mautuma, where he was referred to Lumakanda County Referral Hospital. He was placed on oxygen before being transferred to Kakamega County Referral Hospital for further treatment,” she said.
According to Khayanga, the family encountered difficulties in obtaining emergency care upon arrival at the Kakamega facility.
“At Kakamega, the nurses were not helpful. Some were on TikTok, and the emergency rooms were full. We were also told that an ambulance to Eldoret would cost KSh 28,000 to take him to a private facility. After negotiations, we paid KSh 24,000,” she told WKT.
With Eugene’s condition deteriorating, the family transferred him to a private hospital in Eldoret, where he was admitted on Monday.
For three days, doctors attempted to stabilize him. Khayanga said her son received three blood transfusions, but after the third transfusion, his condition worsened and he became less responsive.
The family was later informed that some of his internal stomach organs had deteriorated, a development they believe significantly worsened his health. Eugene died on Saturday night.
The deceased was a former pupil at Macho Comprehensive School and was described by relatives and friends as a disciplined, hardworking and visionary student who hoped to transform his family’s future through education.
His body has since been transferred to Village of Hope Mortuary as funeral arrangements begin.
The family is now demanding investigations into the treatment Eugene received at Kakamega County Referral Hospital, insisting that the circumstances surrounding his referral and emergency care should be thoroughly examined.
