Doctors at Kenya’s biggest referral hospital –Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)– have successfully carried out a nine-hour surgery to rebuild the face of a seven-year-old boy who was injured during a bandit attack.
The rare craniofacial procedure, performed on September 25 by specialists from KNH and the University of Nairobi, has been hailed as a global medical breakthrough. According to the team, this was the first surgery of its kind in the world, aimed at restoring both function and appearance.
KNH chief executive Richard Lesiyampe applauded the medical team for their achievement.
“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,” he said.
The patient, identified as Ian Baraka, is now recovering in the Intensive Care Unit. He was injured on December 23, 2023, at the Isiolo-Meru border when bandits attacked villagers and a stray bullet struck him. Since then, he has undergone multiple treatments for severe injuries to his eyes and lower jaw.
The procedure was led by a multidisciplinary team including Prof Symon Guthua (lead oral and maxillofacial surgeon), Dr Margaret Mwasha (lead consultant prosthodontist), and Dr Andrew Okiriam (oral and maxillofacial surgeon).
