Woman gives birth to twins at rescue camp

Flood victims camping at Osodo Primary School in Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

As the world was celebrating Mothers Day last Sunday, Nancy Aketch was giving birth to two boys. And she did that at an Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camp.

Akech was displaced by floods from Nyong'ong'a sub-location in Nyakach, Kisumu County.

Her bundles of joy came after her property was swept away by floods.

Aketch said Nyon'onga sub location started experiencing floods a month ago, just as her due date was around the corner. She says she woke up in the wee hours of the night and found her two-roomed house filled with water.

She could barely move, let alone salvage what was left of her household items.

"I was 39 weeks pregnant then and the doctors had told me the babies could come any time," she said.

The sub-county hospital in West Nyakach was inaccessible following the back flow from Lake Victoria.

Akech was lucky to get help from experienced midwives within the camp.

"Because my babies were literally on the way and I was having serious contractions, some experienced elderly women within the camp insisted I would not be able to get to the hospital in good time to deliver the babies," she narrated.

Violet Mulosa, one of the midwives who helped Akech deliver the babies, said she was lucky that the camp had some medical supplies.

"Although this is a disaster, the good Lord has blessed us with Hope and Blessing, which is what we named our twins who have brought some light to the camp amidst the disaster," said Mulosa.

Although Akech was excited about her babies arrival, she was worried that they will not have a suitable home.

"I am happy yet heartbroken at the same time as I have no choice but to raise my babies under such unfortunate circumstances," she said.