A section of doctors have taken to social media to defend their colleagues at the Pumwani maternity hospital over the 12 bodies of infants discovered by governor Mike Sonko in the facility yesterday and instead turned the blame on the county government.

The medics have revealed that Pumwani maternity hospital has no morgue, saying bodies of both babies and mothers who die are kept in a room at the facility awaiting transportation to the city mortuary. The collection is allegedly done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

“Pumwani has no morgue. Never has. All bodies of deceased Mothers, newborns and stillbirths are collected by the city mortuary morticians in the morning. Before this happened daily, nowadays it happens Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” said DR Nelly Bosire.

“Can the County Government tell us why there is no cold room (or mortuary) in Pumwani? The buck stops right at those doorsteps. This County Government of Nairobi can’t feign ignorance and shock. Time and again they have received these complaints and requests from management to improve the facility, including setting up a cold room. They’ve done nothing. The buck stops with them, ” said Dr mercy Korir.

The medics further accused Sonko of merely engaging in unwanted “publicity stunts”.

“Instead of taking time to understand the system and the dynamics in health, they look for quick wins and tangible things to hoodwink you and I. Look at the Managed Equipment Services, the Clinics, this mad rush to ‘universal healthcare’, said Dr mercy Korir

Governor Mike Sonko discovered the bodies of 12 infants hidden at a store within the facility on Monday. The bodies were wrapped in polythene bags and stashed in boxes.

The infants allegedly died after someone switched off power at the newborn unit.

Sonko suspended hospital superintendent & doctor-in-charge.

Health CS Kariuki has ordered the Kenya Medical Practioners and Dentists Union, the  Nursing and Clinical Officers councils to probe death of 12 newborns at Pumwani Hospital and report in 24 hours.