This article highlights the maternal death of Dorcas Nzisa Kariuki, a young Kenyan mother who passed away after developing complications from a caesarean section delivery. This is story 12 in the Wanjiku Kumbukumbu series by Mummy Tales, an initiative that is documenting maternal deaths in Kenya.
By Maryanne W. Waweru l maryanne@mummytales.com
Dorcas Nzisa Kariuki was born on 26 July 2000 in Kauwi, Kitui County. Sadly, Dorcas passed away on Sunday, 31 August 2025, after developing complications following a caesarean section. Though she successfully delivered her second child -a beautiful baby girl, Dorcas, unfortunately, did not make it.
Dorcas was a young mother who was full of ambition and purpose. Through her blog, Mdosi Online, she used her voice to inform, inspire, and empower others, touching the lives of many with her words and positivity. Dorcas had a bright future, with so much to achieve. Sadly, childbirth complications took her away.
Maternal deaths in Kenya
Every day, 13 Kenyan women die from pregnancy-related and childbirth complications. But these women are more than just numbers in a report. They are daughters, sisters, friends, and mothers. They are women with dreams, laughter, and love. Women like Dorcas, who had so much more life to live.
It shouldn’t be this way though. No woman should lose her life while giving life. So let’s continue to raise awareness, demand better maternal healthcare, and support initiatives that ensure every woman in Kenya can experience safe pregnancy and childbirth.
Documenting maternal deaths in Kenya
The unfortunate death of Dorcas is the twelfth account in the Wanjiku Kumbukumbu series by Mummy Tales, an initiative that is focused on documenting maternal deaths in Kenya to raise awareness about the issue and advocate for better maternal health. The project aims to memorialize Kenyan mothers we have lost to childbirth complications.
If you would like to share information about a mother who has lost her life due to maternal health complications in 2025, or if you would like to support the Wanjiku Kumbukumbu project by Mummy Tales, please reach me at maryanne@mummytales.com
Read more Wanjiku Kumbukumbu articles:
- The death of Eunice Njoki, 27, from excessive bleeding after childbirth
- Phyllis Wanjiru, 33, succumbs after caesarean section complications
- Faith Binzali, 26, succumbs to a caesarean section gone wrong
- Mumbi’s death from retained placenta complications
- Barbara Mkok, 38, succumbs to pre-eclampsia complications
- Stella Mtira Wangama, 33, succumbs to post-caesarean section complications
- Magdalene Njoki Mburu, 36, and her death from uterine rupture complications
- Immaculate Akinyi Kirui, 40, dies from childbirth complications
- Elizabeth Wairimu, 27, dies from pulmonary embolism
- Phanice Kerubo, 27, dies from alleged neglect while in labour at hospital
- Vanessa Wanjiku, 26, dies after caesarean section delivery
Mummy Tales by Maryanne W. Waweru is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBE l TWITTER
