Social media has played a role in reuniting a mother with her daughter who had been missing for 11 months, following the circulation of a photo of an unidentified woman online by the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
In an update on Wednesday, February 4, KNH said the mother, Lilian Kwamboka, a resident of Lang’ata, had been searching for her daughter since March 2025 when the young woman went missing.
Kwamboka said she visited several children’s homes, orphanages and mortuaries across Nairobi County in an effort to trace her child.
The breakthrough came on Monday, February 2, after a photo of an unidentified woman was shared on social media platforms.
Kwamboka identified the woman in the image as her missing daughter and proceeded to KNH the following day with the poster.
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Hospital officials confirmed that the woman had been admitted to KNH on September 25, 2025, after being brought in by a good samaritan who found her along Hospital Road.
With no identification or known relatives, she remained under the care of the hospital.
During her stay at the hospital, the woman gave birth on November 17, 2025; the reunion marked the first meeting between Kwamboka and her grandchild.
Speaking after the reunion, she expressed gratitude to the hospital for caring for her daughter and grandchild.
"I don’t have anything to pay KNH but may God bless you for taking care of my child and my grandchild," she said.
KNH thanked members of the public who shared the social media post, noting that public cooperation was instrumental in reuniting the family.
This comes weeks after doctors from KNH successfully performed a life-saving medical procedure on a two-year-old after pieces of food became lodged in his lung.
In a statement on Monday, January 12, KNH said the toddler, identified as Jaydeen, was rushed to KNH after developing a persistent cough following a choking incident during Christmas celebrations in Thika.
According to his mother, Caroline, the child choked after eating groundnuts and drinking milk, an episode that initially appeared to pass but later raised serious health concerns.
"He suddenly started choking. I froze, then panic took over," she recalled.
Despite visiting several health facilities over the following week, Jaydeen’s condition did not improve, prompting Caroline to seek further care at KNH on New Year’s Day.
Upon assessment, doctors conducted tests that revealed a collapsed section of the child’s right lung, suggesting the presence of a foreign body in the airway.
On Monday, January 5, a specialised team led by Consultant Paediatric Pulmonologist Dr. Diana Marangu carried out a delicate procedure to remove the obstruction.
Using a rigid bronchoscopy, the doctors successfully retrieved multiple pieces of peanut that were deeply lodged in the toddler’s lung.
The procedure was completed without the need for surgery.
Jaydeen was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for overnight observation and showed steady improvement; he made a full recovery and was discharged.
"I will never forget that day. I’m just grateful my son got a second chance," Caroline added.
