By Anchor Writer

Kathiani, Machakos County —

Tragedy struck in Isyukoni Shopping Centre on yesterday morning when a 32-year-old woman and her unborn child died under questionable circumstances at a private clinic, as the ongoing strike in all Machakos public hospitals entered its seventh day.

According to a police incident report from Kathiani Police Station, officers responding to the scene found the lifeless body of Celestine Nzilani Wambua lying in a pool of blood inside Premier Medical Services clinic. Beside her was a stillborn baby. Both had no visible injuries.

Her sister, Mary Mwikali Wambua, told police she had brought Celestine to the facility at around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday for delivery. The attending medic, identified as John Kenyatta Muli, who also owns the clinic, helped her deliver the stillborn. However, he reportedly left shortly afterwards for his home, leaving Celestine and her sister alone.

Mwikali said Muli was away for about three hours and returned to find Celestine dead. Police officers, accompanied by DCI detectives and scenes-of-crime personnel, documented the scene before moving both bodies to Machakos Funeral Home for post-mortem examinations. The medic has been arrested and is in custody as investigations continue. Inquest files have been opened for both deaths.

The clinic is located barely three kilometres from Kathiani Level 4 Hospital, which has been closed since last week as doctors, nurses, and clinical officers continue their countywide strike. Health workers are demanding that Governor Wavinya Ndeti fulfil promises made to them, including payment of allowances and better working conditions.

The strike has left thousands without access to care, with rural residents relying on under-equipped dispensaries, private clinics, or travelling long distances to neighbouring counties for treatment. Monday’s double tragedy underscores the growing human toll of the standoff.

Residents expressed anger over what they see as avoidable deaths. “If the hospital was open, she would have received better care and maybe she and the baby would be alive,” said one community member at the scene.

As the strike drags on, more families are being pushed into desperation, with fears mounting that Celestine’s case will not be the last. The county government has yet to announce any breakthrough in talks with striking medical staff.