Mother delivers quadruplets in Kisii, names them Raila, Amollo, Odinga, and Ida

The mother, Vane Nyanchoka Ontweka, gave birth via caesarean section to three boys and one girl, all named after Kenya's late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga and his wife, Ida Odinga. 

The three boys were named Raila, Amolo, and Odinga, while the baby girl was named Ida.

Hospital staff broke into celebration after the successful delivery, calling it a moment of hope and new life.

“We were delighted to deliver the babies,” said Dr. Maria Lyther, the hospital’s chief medical officer. “The mother faced some difficulties because of the combined weight of the four babies, but both she and the newborns are now in stable condition.”

For Nyanchoka, the birth was both miraculous and unexpected.

“I didn’t expect them to be four,” she said with a laugh. “The ultrasound showed only three. It was difficult even to walk or breathe toward the end, but I thank God for this blessing.”

The decision to name the babies after the late Raila Odinga and his wife came after a moment of shared emotion among hospital staff.

“When she developed complications, it happened to be around the time Raila’s death was announced,” explained Everline Mong’are, one of the nurses who attended to the mother.

“We said, ‘Raila has come back in a big way.’ So we named them Raila, Amolo, Odinga, and the tiny girl Ida.”

Nyanchoka, who already has a set of twins, says she is overwhelmed but grateful for the new additions to her family.

“It’s truly amazing. First twins, now quadruplets — only God can do that,” she said.

Hospital officials have appealed for community support to help the mother care for her four newborns.

“Raising four babies at once is no easy task,” said Dancun Mosioma, a senior administrator at Nyanchwa Hospital. “We are calling on well-wishers to lend a helping hand as the family begins this extraordinary journey.”