Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has successfully carried out a historic medical procedure, removing 20.86 kilograms of breast tissue from a teenage girl in what is being described as the world’s largest gigantomastia surgery.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe said the complex surgery was performed on September 22, 2025, and took 11 hours to complete.
The operation was performed on Lydia Musivi, a teenager who had been suffering from gigantomastia, a rare condition that causes excessive and rapid breast growth. The condition had forced her to abandon her education and left her struggling with mobility and chronic pain.
“The weight of the tissue removed was 37 percent of her total body weight,” Dr. Lesiyampe said, noting that the case represented an extraordinary medical and humanitarian achievement.
Lydia, who is now recovering well, expressed relief and gratitude after the successful procedure.
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“The weight is now over. I feel free, lighter, and ready to return to school,” she said. “I can finally live the life I was meant to live and follow my dream of becoming a high school teacher.”
The surgery was led by Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, Head of Specialized Surgery and Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at KNH. He described the procedure as a landmark moment not just for the hospital but for the country.
“This was more than a surgical success; it was the restoration of a young woman’s dignity and future,” Dr. Wabwire said. “Our team at KNH proved that with world-class skills and deep compassion, we can overcome even the most extreme medical challenges. We are not just treating conditions; we are transforming lives.”
Lydia’s mother, Naomi Mutendwa, shared the family’s long struggle to find help before being referred to KNH from Garissa County Referral Hospital.
“I watched my daughter disappear under the weight of the illness. It stole her confidence and her future. We felt hopeless until we were referred to KNH. Today, I am thankful that she has a second chance at life,” she said.
Dr. Lesiyampe hailed the operation as proof of Kenya’s growing medical excellence.
“This milestone demonstrates that world-class medical breakthroughs are happening right here in Kenya. We are solving local health challenges with global standards of innovation and compassion, setting new benchmarks for patient-centered care,” he said.
Lydia Musivi has since been discharged and is recovering well at her home in Mwingi, Kitui County. She is expected to resume school in January 2026.
