Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has conducted two rare nerve reconstruction surgeries on a four-year-old boy and a 43-year-old man who lost limbs in separate incidents.

The surgeries were conducted on October 29 and 30, 2026 using a special procedure known as Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR). This involves redirecting a patient’s sensory nerves to potentially allow amputees to feel using a compatible prosthetic limb.

KNH said that the four-year-old boy from Kirinyaga County, Jeremy, is the youngest known patient in the world to have received the surgery. Charles Mogire became the third person in the world to receive the variation of TSR known as transhumeral.

The hospital said in a statement on Tuesday, November 10 that the surgeries show the increasing capabilities of the hospital to conduct complex reconstructive surgeries.

“Kenyatta National Hospital has once again made global medical history, performing two pioneering nerve-reconstruction surgeries: one on the world’s youngest known recipient of Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) and another on the third patient globally to undergo its transhumeral variant.”

Jeremy suffered the loss of his left hand in an incident involving a chaff cutter whilst playing with another child. Doctors tried to reattach the limb but were unsuccessful. Jeremy was then amputated and had a five-and-a-half hour long TSR surgery on October 29 performed by Italian Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Professor Alexander Gardetto alongside KNH specialists.

The surgery was conducted under the supervision of Dr Benjamin Wabwire, Head of Specialised Surgery at the hospital.

The second patient, 43-year-old Mogire suffered the loss of both arms in an electrical incident in November 2025. He had a shoulder amputation on his left arm and an above-elbow amputation on his dominant right arm.

Following emergency care and skin grafting at KNH, he was deemed suitable for the special surgery. He had a five-hour long surgery on October 30 performed by Professor Gardetto and Kenyan specialists under the supervision of Professor Ferdinand Nang’ole.

Mogire became the third patient in the world to receive the transhumeral variation of TSR. KNH said that his surgery was quicker than the first of its kind which took just over seven hours.

Targeted Sensory Reinnervation involves taking certain sensory nerves from the amputated limb and redirecting them to other areas of tissue where they can form new connections. Once the nerves have healed, they can potentially send signals to the patient to feel using a compatible prosthetic. This can include feeling pressure, vibration, heat and cold.

This surgery does not replace the limb or guarantee feeling, however, if the nerves heal well, and with rehabilitation, the patient can potentially feel using a compatible prosthetic. This can also help with issues such as neuromas, which can cause pain, and phantom limb.

Both surgeries were fully funded by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Both patients were discharged following their post-operative care. They will receive ongoing medical care and will have further rehabilitation. KNH said that the surgeries were part of a project in their second year, with Professor Gardetto providing mentorship and specialist skills.

KNH Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Lesiyampe said that the surgeries show that complex treatments can be conducted locally.

“These procedures demonstrate that complex and highly specialised treatments can be successfully undertaken in Kenya.” We are investing in specialist skills, infrastructure, technology and partnerships to increase our offering of advanced healthcare.

The surgeries give the patients the chance to feel better using their prosthetic limbs.