A Kisii woman who gave birth to quadruplets has named the newborns after the
late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga and his wife Ida
Odinga.
Her family described the move as a heartfelt tribute to the veteran
opposition leader.
Vane Nyanchoka delivered the four babies, three boys and
one girl, at Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital in Kisii
County.
Speaking to Citizen TV, she said the decision was inspired by respect and
admiration for the late Raila.
The birth has drawn widespread attention for both its rarity and symbolic
timing.
Nyanchoka said she was only expecting triplets based on her ultrasound
scans, but a fourth “miracle baby” arrived during delivery through a caesarean
section.
“I didn’t expect to have four babies. I only found out after the C-section.
I had prepared for just three. Now I have six children, and all I can say is
God is great,” she said.
Nyanchoka, who previously delivered twins, is now a mother of six.
She named her sons Raila, Amollo and Odinga,
while the baby girl was named Ida, a symbolic nod to the late
leader’s wife.
Her sister, Everleen Ontweka, said the family chose the
names to honour Raila Odinga’s legacy shortly after his death.
“We just lost Raila, our hero, and we were mourning his passing when my
sister gave birth,” she said.
“We said Raila has returned in a big way, three of them named Raila, Amollo
and Odinga, and there was the surprise baby girl, whom we decided to name Ida.”
Hospital officials said the delivery was historic for Nyanchwa Adventist
Mission Hospital, marking the first successful birth of quadruplets at the
facility.
Dr Maria Lyther, who leads the medical team, said staff
were both surprised and overjoyed by the outcome.
“We have been delivering triplets, but this is the first time we have
delivered quadruplets. We were happy and excited to receive the babies,” she
said.
Amid the celebrations, Nyanchoka now faces the reality of caring for six
young children.
Dancun Mosiomo, an administrator at the hospital, said they
were considering waiving her medical bills and appealed to well-wishers to
support the family.
“Anyone willing to help the mother raise her six children is welcome, and
any help towards the same will be much appreciated,” Mosiomo said.
The quadruplets are said to be in stable condition under medical
observation.
The birth, which coincides with mourning over the death of the former Prime Minister, has struck an emotional chord among Kenyans, with many praising the mother’s gesture as a touching expression of remembrance for one of the country’s most influential political figures.
