KNH-UON lead surgeon Prof. Symon Guthua speaking during a press briefing, after a successful reconstructive surgery to restore baby Ian Baraka's face following a bandit attack, at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, on October 24, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
A reconstructive surgery conducted at Kenyatta National
Hospital has given 6-year-old Ian Baraka a positive view of life after he
recovered from the highly specialized reconstructive surgery done to restore
his disfigured look.
The highly complex craniofacial procedure that lasted 9 hours
was performed on Thursday, 25th September 2025, by a multidisciplinary
team of KNH and University of Nairobi specialists, marking a global surgical
milestone.
The surgery involved complex facial reconstruction to restore the function and appearance of the disfigured face.
A jovial Ian Baraka was presented today at the KNH boardroom with a reconstructed face and now can eat, talk and smile like other children of his age.
Dr. Symon Guthua, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery and the lead surgeon in the reconstruction of Ian Baraka, described the
case as one of the most challenging he has encountered.
“Children like Ian present unique difficulties because you
cannot simply ‘repair’ them; you must allow for growth. Ian’s upper lip, nose,
and upper jaw were missing due to the shooting, causing functional and
psychosocial impairments. Our team had to carefully design implants that would
grow with him and restore feeding and speech functions,” he explained.
“This achievement is not a one-person effort but a
collective success involving surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and technologists,
all working together to give Ian a new lease on life,” he added.
Ian’s mother Bessy Kinya, expressed deep appreciation to the medical team and Kenyatta National Hospital for the remarkable care they provided.
“I am very grateful to the doctors and the hospital for restoring
hope for my child. There was a time when I feared Ian would never have a normal
life, but today, seeing him able to eat, speak, and smile again, my heart is
full of joy and gratitude,” she said.
Ian Baraka's mother Bessy Kinya elated during a press briefing following a successful reconstructive surgery to restore her son, baby Ian Baraka's face, following a bandit attack at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, on October 24, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
Dr. Richard Desiampe, Acting CEO of Kenyatta National
Hospital, praised the team and reinforced the institution’s vision.
“Today is a day of hope, healing, and innovation. Ian’s
surgery is a milestone for African healthcare, showcasing that with dedication
and expertise, we can achieve world-class medical miracles right here in Kenya.
We acknowledge the resilience of Ian’s family and the unwavering support from
hospital staff and partners alike,” he said.
