It was jubilation and celebration as Mother One, Josephine Wangari, was wheeled into the first maternity theatre in Bondeni sub county hospital at around 11:30 a.m. on September 2, marking a historic moment.

70 years after its establishment, the hospital successfully conducted a cesarean section (CS) in its long-dormant maternity theatre — a facility that has finally sprung to life after decades of underutilization.

The procedure was led by Chief Officer for Medical Services and obstetrics-gynecology specialist Dr. John Murima, who at 11:43 a.m. delivered a healthy baby girl, Margaret, in the presence of senior and junior medical staff from the facility and across the county.

Chief Officer for Medical Services and obstetrics-gynecology specialist Dr. John Murima, successfully delivers baby Margaret through CS at Bondeni maternity on September 2,2025.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

Dr. Murima describes the operation, which took about an hour, as a medical breakthrough and a teaching opportunity.

“This is a major milestone for this hospital and a win for mothers in this region. It was not just a delivery but also a learning and teaching moment for our junior staff who participated in the surgery. That hands-on experience is what builds capacity,” he says.

Chief Officer for Medical Services and obstetrics-gynecology specialist Dr. John Murima leads the first CS procedure at Bondeni sub-county hospital on September 2,2025.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

Inside the theatre, Mtaa Wangu observed the silent concentration of staff who leaned in closely, eager to learn, their eyes following every deliberate, precise move as every step was explained.

Inside the long-dormant maternity theatre that came to life on September 2 as Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr. John Murima delivered a baby through CS at the Bondeni sub-county hospital.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

When the final stitches were done, the theatre fell quiet again, except for the steady beep of machines and the careful voices of staff counting every instrument, determined that nothing be overlooked.

At 12:45 p.m., Wangari was wheeled out, and despite the exhaustion, baby Margaret was placed gently against her chest as a nurse guided her through the first moments of breastfeeding, helping the newborn latch onto the breast.

Mother One, Josephine Wangari, breastfeeds her baby girl after undergoing the first ever CS surgery at the Bondeni sub-county hospital on September 2,2025.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

Dr. Murima says the theatre, part of the level four hospital, is fully operational and will also serve as a training ground for upcoming healthcare professionals.

He emphasizes that the goal is to ensure safe deliveries while reducing maternal and infant mortality in the area.

“We urge mothers who go to PGH to now come to the Bondeni facility, as well as all mothers in the surrounding areas,” he says, adding that staff are ready to serve around the clock.

Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr. John Murima, during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on September 2,2025 after performing the first ever CS surgery in Bondeni maternity.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

This milestone comes after a county-backed initiative revived and fully equipped the theatre at a cost of about Sh. 7 million, channeled into modern medical and surgical equipment.

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Muthoni Wanjiku