Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has celebrated a landmark medical breakthrough at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), recognising surgeons who performed Kenya’s first facial reconstruction surgery.

In a post on X on September 27, 2025, the health CS congratulated “our great surgeons at Kenyatta National Hospital”, praising the team for their success in a procedure hailed as a milestone for the country’s healthcare sector.

Boy undergoes surgery

An official KNH statement dated September 26, 2025, detailed the operation. On September 25, a multidisciplinary team from KNH and the University of Nairobi conducted a nine-hour surgery to reconstruct the face of seven-year-old Ian Baraka, who was disfigured during a bandit attack in 2023.

Ian sustained severe facial injuries on December 23, 2023, at the Isiolo–Meru border when a stray bullet struck him during an armed attack on villagers.

“Kenyatta National Hospital has successfully conducted a nine-hour, first-of-its-kind reconstructive surgery to restore the face of a young boy disfigured during a bandit attack in 2023. The highly complex craniofacial procedure, performed on Thursday, September 25, 2025, by a multidisciplinary team of KNH and University of Nairobi (UON) specialists, marks a global surgical milestone.”

Since then, he has undergone extensive treatment and rehabilitation for injuries to his eyes and lower jaw. Following last week’s operation, he remains under close medical care in the Intensive Care Unit. KNH said updates on his recovery will be provided while safeguarding his family’s privacy.

“The 7-year-old Ian Baraka is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and remains under close medical care. Ian sustained severe facial injuries on December 23, 2023, at the Isiolo-Meru border when armed bandits attacked villagers, and a stray bullet struck him in the face. Since then, he has undergone extensive treatment and rehabilitation for injuries to his eyes and lower jaw.”

“The surgery involved intricate facial reconstruction to restore function and appearance, making it the first procedure of its kind worldwide.”

Team commended

The surgery was led by Prof. Symon Guthua, Lead Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon; Dr Margaret Mwasha, Lead Consultant Prosthodontist; and Dr Andrew Okriamu, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Special recognition went to Dr Brance Munyasha, a resident student in maxillofacial surgery, who personally raised funds for Ian’s procedure by running two marathons.

Ag. Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Lesiyampe applauded the team, saying the milestone demonstrated the surgeons’ skill and determination and signalled Kenya’s rising leadership in specialised healthcare. He described the operation as a message of hope to patients across Africa and beyond.

“Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Lesiyampe, commended the surgical team for their remarkable expertise, dedication, and courage.

“This milestone demonstrates not only our surgeons’ skill and determination but also Kenya’s rising leadership in specialised healthcare. It is a message of hope to patients across Africa and beyond,” Lesiyampe said.