Surgery to remove clot in former President Kibaki’s neck a success

President Uhuru Kenyatta and immediate former President Mwai Kibaki. PHOTO: PSCU

Former President Kibaki yesterday underwent a successful minor operation to remove a clot in one of his neck arteries.

Kibaki was reportedly wheeled into the theatre at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the morning for the procedure that took nearly one hour.

After the operation, the former president was taken back to his ward where he was said to be recuperating.

"The procedure was successful and the old man is back to the ward. It was a delicate procedure but thank God it was done without any hitch," the source said.

He further revealed Kibaki will remain in the hospital for a week for close observation.

"He will be in the hospital for another week as the medics monitor him and continue giving him the care he needs before he is released," the source revealed.

The family and the Government remained mum about the surgery and his subsequent transfer to the recovery ward.

The source said by yesterday afternoon, the former President had already started talking to close family members.

"It was a small clot that did not take too much time to remove and to clear the affected area. The family here is very happy that all went as planned," added the source who is close to the family.

The former President was taken ill on Saturday night and was rushed to Karen Hospital before being flown to South Africa on Sunday afternoon.

Kibaki was accompanied by cardiologist Josiah Ruturi, his personal physician Dan Gikonyo and his last-born son, Anthony Githinji. His daughter, Judy Wanjiku, joined them on Monday morning.

When he was first admitted to the hospital, no one apart from close family members and doctors accompanying him were allowed into his ward.

"Apart from close family members, a few friends and other relatives have been able to have a conversation with mzee at the hospital. He is very jovial and upbeat," said another source on Wednesday.

The source revealed that that was the second surgery the former President was going through to remove a blood clot in one of his veins after he had a bad accident in 2002.

Netcare Sunninghill Hospital is one of the most prestigious specialist heart facilities in South Africa.

The hospital is described as a top cardiology facility in Johannesburg, and boasts of the best medical teams.