What began as a rare moment of joy for a Juja family has turned into heartbreak after four of the five babies born to Mercy Kanini died while receiving specialised care at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Kanini had made headlines after delivering five babies through normal delivery at Thika Level Five Hospital in what was described as a rare occurrence in Kenya.

The babies were transferred to KNH shortly after birth because of their extremely low birth weights and the need for intensive newborn care.

The infants weighed between 630 and 800 grammes and were born after Kanini's pregnancy had lasted six months.

A healthcare official explained that the babies required specialised newborn intensive care because of their low weight and extreme prematurity.

The delivery itself had been an unusual one. After Kanini delivered the first baby shortly after arriving at the hospital, nurses began preparing her for a Caesarean section for the remaining babies.

Doctors later determined that she could safely deliver the other four babies normally, allowing all five to be delivered without surgery.

Speaking shortly after the birth, Kanini said she was happy to learn that she had delivered five babies and praised the medical team for the care she received.

The birth was Kanini's third pregnancy. She already had a boy and a girl.

Her husband, Evans Nyamhanga, had said the couple were expecting four babies but were surprised when five were delivered.

At the time, the family appealed for financial support to help meet the demands that came with caring for the newborns.

The family also sought assistance from Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and well-wishers. The governor had already provided an ambulance to support the family.

The five babies' birth was described as one of only a small number of such cases recorded in Kenya's history.

For the family, however, the celebration surrounding the rare birth has now been overshadowed by the loss of four of the newborns.