The heartbreaking story of Mama Baraka, who lost her four-year-old son Brylejones Baraka in 2024, has struck a national chord.
Shared through emotional TikTok videos viewed over half a million times, her posts document the family’s painful journey through post-liver transplant care, hospital admissions, and a devastating final diagnosis of widespread malignant tumours.“June 16 was the darkest day of my life,” she writes.
Her son had battled sepsis and organ failure despite her donating part of her liver in a desperate attempt to save him. His tragic death is a personal story that reflects a broader crisis.
A landmark study by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network, implemented in Kenya through KEMRI, has revealed that over 86% of deaths among children aged 1 to 5 are linked to infections most of which are preventable.
Using Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS), the study identified leading causes such as pneumonia, sepsis, malaria, and diarrhoea, with pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Plasmodium falciparum dominating the findings.
Dr. Victor Akelo, a lead researcher at KEMRI, emphasised that many infections are acquired in hospital settings, highlighting a pressing need for improved infection control.
“It’s not just about diagnosing the cause; it’s about fixing the system,” he said.Paediatricians like Dr. Isaac Kihurani and Dr. Aura Nzinga echoed the emotional and professional toll of losing young patients many of whom might have been saved with timely, adequate care.
As Baraka’s mother grieves, her story puts a human face to the data and underlines the urgency of transforming research into policy.
Experts agree: With political will, better hospital protocols, and wider access to care, many of these young lives can be saved. Baraka’s memory must now fuel that mission.
About the Author:
Waihiga K. Muturi, Rtn., is a freelance digital journalist, global innovation, and AI strategist with over 15 years of experience leading strategic communications and programme management across Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, Latin America, and Eurasia. As a science communications specialist and freelance digital journalist, he has managed multimillion-dollar programmes aimed at strengthening organisational outreach and partnership development. Waihiga excels at translating complex research findings into actionable policy recommendations and has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement across private, public, and non-profit sectors. He is a Rotarian and an advocate for evidence-based solutions to Africa’s most urgent livelihood challenges. He believes “Africa MUST change the way it tackles Poverty!”
