10 years after separation: How Kenyan conjoined twins Blessing and Favour are doing

Ten years after undergoing a historic surgery that separated them, Kenyan twins Blessing Kathure and Favour Karemi are thriving as independent 12-year-olds, pursuing their education and dreaming of becoming surgeons.

The sisters, who were born joined at the lower back, are now in Grade Five. Although they look almost identical and share a close bond, they have developed different interests, talents and personalities.

Their story attracted national attention in 2016 when a team of about 60 medical specialists at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) performed a complex operation to separate them.

Blessing and Favour were born on September 4, 2014, at St Theresa’s Mission Hospital in Meru County. They were transferred to KNH the following day, where they spent about two and a half years as doctors prepared for the delicate procedure.

The twins were joined at the lower back and shared parts of the pelvic region, including structures connected to their rectums. Doctors had to allow their organs and muscles to develop before attempting the separation.

On November 1, 2016, a multidisciplinary team involving paediatric surgeons, neurosurgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and other specialists began the operation, which lasted 23 hours.

Their mother, Caroline Mukiri, recalled the fear she experienced before the surgery, saying the procedure carried serious risks for both children.

“This surgery was between death and life. Either one dies, or both die, or they become paralysed. So I had fear, but still I thank God,” she said.

Mukiri said watching her daughters recover and eventually learn to walk remains one of her greatest joys.

“I thank God when I see them chasing another child. I thank God when I see them walking,” she added.

Today, the twins attend school together and enjoy spending time with each other, although they have developed different preferences.

Favour is left-handed, while Blessing is right-handed. They enjoy different subjects and hobbies, including English, science, technology, swimming, skating, singing, painting and chess.

They have little personal memory of being conjoined, having undergone the operation when they were just two years old. Their mother later showed them photographs of their early childhood.

“When our mum showed us our pictures, I was shocked first. But now we are separated. We thank the Almighty God for separating the both of us,” one of the girls said.

Their mother says their bond remains strong despite their growing independence. She has observed that they often sense when the other is unhappy and know how to comfort each other.

She also says the girls have different ways of expressing affection, with one sometimes taking a protective role over her sister.

The twins have also developed ambitions shaped by their experience. Both say they want to become surgeons, inspired by the medical team that performed the operation that separated them.

Mukiri, who has raised the girls as a single mother, says bringing them up has come with financial and personal challenges.

“Challenges as a single mother, raising a child alone, it’s not easy. And now that I have two,” she said.

She revealed that the twins still require further medical procedures, including reconstructive surgery. One of the girls also needs a procedure involving a colostomy.

Mukiri appealed to hospitals and well-wishers to help her meet their medical needs, explaining that the cost of treatment and everyday family expenses had placed a strain on her finances.

Despite the difficulties, she says her daughters have become a source of strength whenever she feels overwhelmed.

She recalled that when she faces challenges, the girls encourage her by reminding her that God will help them.

The twins, meanwhile, remain determined to pursue their ambitions and help others through medicine.

“I would like to be a surgeon too,” one of them said, explaining that the 23-hour operation inspired her to help sick people.

A decade after their separation, Blessing and Favour continue to build independent lives while sharing a bond that has remained strong since birth.

William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]

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