Kenyan Nurse in UK Hailed as Hero for Saving Baby's Life Amid NHS Crisis Backlash

Country: United Kingdom
Date Published: November 27, 2025

Nairobi, Kenya – A Kenyan nurse working in the UK's National Health Service (NHS) has become an overnight sensation on X (formerly Twitter) after a viral video showed her performing life-saving CPR on a newborn baby during a chaotic shift at a London hospital. Posted by verified UK news account @BBCNewsHealth on November 27, the clip has racked up over 2.5 million views, with Kenyans abroad and at home flooding the platform with praise for Mercy Wanjiku, a 32-year-old from Kiambu County who has been in the UK since 2020.

The incident unfolded late on November 25 at St. Thomas' Hospital, where Wanjiku, a senior midwife, sprang into action when the baby's heart stopped during delivery. Eyewitness accounts shared in a thread by influencer @KenyanDiasporaWatch (145K followers) detailed how her quick thinking stabilized the infant until paramedics arrived. "This is why we export talent to the world! Mercy, umetufanya faham," tweeted @KenyanNurseUK, a verified account representing Kenyan healthcare workers in Britain, garnering 15K likes and sparking a #MercyTheHero trend that trended in Kenya and the UK.

While celebrations poured in from regular users like @DiasporaKenyan1 ("Proud of our sister making Kenya shine abroad!") and news outlet @CitizenTVKE reposting the story, the discourse quickly turned controversial. Critics, including @NHSReformNow, highlighted the NHS staffing crisis, accusing the system of relying on "imported labor" while underpaying workers. A heated thread by @UKMumOfThree claimed, "Great job, but why are we celebrating when British nurses are quitting? Fix the NHS!" This ignited debates with over 8K replies, where Kenyan users defended Wanjiku, pointing to exploitation and low wages—averaging £28,000 annually for migrant nurses despite grueling 12-hour shifts.

The story has amplified broader discussions on X about the Kenyan diaspora's role in global healthcare, with data from @WorldBank tweeted in replies showing Kenyans remit over $4 billion yearly, much from such frontline jobs. Wanjiku herself responded humbly via @MercyWanjikuOfficial: "Just doing my job for humanity. Prayers for the baby." As the thread continues to grow, it underscores both the triumphs and tensions faced by over 100,000 Kenyans in the UK, blending national pride with calls for better migrant worker protections. Hospital officials confirmed the baby is recovering well, crediting Wanjiku's heroism.