Activist Hanifa Adan
A mental health emergency along Kiambu Road prompted swift intervention on Friday after activist Hanifa Adan responded to reports of a distressed woman running naked while carrying a young child.
Adan said she rushed to the scene after receiving a call for help and found two women who had already managed to stop the woman and cover her.
The group escorted her to a nearby police station, where officers referred them to Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical attention.
Upon arrival, the woman initially appeared calm. However, while being escorted for laboratory assessment, she became agitated, began shouting, removed her clothes again and ran around the facility.
Adan recounted that efforts to restrain and calm her proved difficult as staff and helpers attempted to ensure her safety.
The child, estimated to be under two years old, was removed from the situation and placed in temporary protective care at a children’s home.
Adan expressed relief at the decision, noting that the mother had allegedly made disturbing statements suggesting potential harm to the child.
Hospital staff later administered a sedative injection and attempted to stabilize the woman.
She briefly escaped supervision again, prompting nearly an hour of searching within the hospital grounds before she was safely located and returned for care.
The incident highlighted the challenges faced by mental health professionals working in high-pressure environments.
Adan praised the staff for their persistence and compassion, emphasizing the demanding nature of their work and the need for improved support and resources.