Aga Khan University Hospital has been fined Sh1 million by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) over lapses in the care of Valerie Cherono Misoi, who died after giving birth in August 2019.
The council’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee found the hospital culpable following a complaint by Misoi’s husband, Lawrence Oyaro, who alleged that inadequate medical care contributed to a hospital-acquired infection that led to her death.
In its determination in Disciplinary Case No. 70 of 2022, the committee directed the hospital to update its medical protocols, strengthen maternal death surveillance procedures and enter mediation with the family. The council reportedly upheld the findings in January 2026.
The hospital was also ordered to demonstrate compliance with emergency obstetric and neonatal care standards, ensure revised protocols were communicated to staff and medical contractors, and report the outcome of mediation within 90 days.
According to testimony presented during the inquiry, Misoi had received antenatal care at the hospital under Dr Mukaindo Mwaniki during her pregnancy in 2019.
Oyaro told the committee that his wife visited the hospital on August 18, 2019, with diarrhoea and abdominal pain. She underwent investigations and was advised to return for review.
She went into labour on August 27 and delivered a baby girl through normal vaginal delivery in the early hours of August 28. She was discharged on August 29 after reporting leg pain and undergoing investigations for a possible blood clot.
Dr Mwaniki reportedly told the committee that Misoi’s symptoms suggested a possible infection but he did not consider her condition an emergency requiring antibiotics before culture results became available. He said he collected a sample and advised her to return within three days but she did not attend the review.
The committee reportedly absolved Dr Nyawira, Dr Umar and Dr Obare, finding that they had no case to answer. It admonished Dr Gichuki over what it described as a lack of situational awareness and failure to consult senior team members promptly, contributing to delays in critical care management.
Separately, Oyaro’s advocates, Githogori and Harrison Associates Advocates LLP, have proposed a Sh100 million settlement from the hospital.
The demand comprises Sh27.22 million in general damages for pain, loss and suffering, Sh53.46 million for lost years, Sh17.82 million for loss of dependency and Sh1.5 million in special damages.
The lawyers said Misoi was 27 years old and earned a net monthly salary of Sh165,000 at the time of her death.
The hospital’s advocates had previously proposed Sh10,000 for pain and suffering, Sh10,000 for loss of expectation of life, Sh8.48 million for loss of dependency and Sh1.5 million in special damages, according to the supplied documents.
The family’s lawyers have urged the hospital to pursue mediation and compensation discussions to avoid further litigation expenses.
The Sh1 million regulatory fine is separate from the compensation sought by the family. Any payment to Oyaro will depend on a settlement or a determination through the appropriate legal process.
