Woman gives birth aboard train to Mombasa

By Peter Ochieng

The Kenya Railways has shared a heartwarming story of a mother who welcomed her bundle of joy on board a passenger service train.

The Madaraka Express Passenger Service train was travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa on Wednesday, when the woman started experiencing labour pains.

Luckily, there was a doctor and a nurse aboard the train, who swiftly moved into action.

"We were blessed to have Dr. Indanyenyi Luseso onboard who performed the delivery, assisted by Fauziya Lugogo, a nurse at Kenyatta National Hospital and our Madaraka Express passenger attendant, Mary Nyiha," said Kenya Railways, in a statement.

"Thereafter she was rushed to Mariakani subcounty hospital for further medical assistance."

Both the mother and the baby are okay. Reacting to Kenya Railways statement on Twitter, Yulu Chris had a suggestion:

"I have used Madaraka Express on several occasions. More than twice I have heard the attendants appeal for any medic on board to step forward and help a passenger on some medical emergency. And now this case of a woman giving birth onboard. Perhaps it is time Kenya Railways considers having some medics onboard at all times (at least a nurse and a clinical officer). They could also have a special cabin to act as a clinic," he wrote.

One Kioko Junior suggested that the new born kid be named Madaraka.