Kenyan Nurse in UK Celebrated for Saving Baby's Life During Flight Emergency

Country: United Kingdom
Date Published: November 27, 2025

A Kenyan nurse living in the UK has become an overnight sensation on X after heroically saving a baby's life mid-flight, with users hailing her as a "true angel" and sharing her story thousands of times. The incident unfolded on a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Manchester on November 26, when a three-month-old infant suddenly stopped breathing, prompting panic among passengers. Florence Muthoni, a 32-year-old nurse from Nairobi now based in Birmingham, sprang into action, performing CPR and stabilizing the child until the plane landed safely.

Posts on X exploded with praise shortly after the story broke, starting with a viral thread from verified aviation account @FlightRadar24KE, which detailed the emergency diversion and credited Muthoni by name after confirmation from the airline. "Kenyan nurse Florence Muthoni saves baby on BA flight! 🇰🇪❤️ #DiasporaHeroes," read the initial post, which garnered over 15,000 likes and 4,000 retweets within hours. Regular users like @UKKenyanVibes amplified it further, sharing a photo of Muthoni receiving commendation from flight crew, while influencer @WanjikuRevolt posted, "From Kenya to UK, our women are out here saving lives. Proud! #FlorenceMuthoni."

British Airways issued an official statement on X confirming the event, thanking Muthoni for her "quick thinking and professional expertise" and noting that the baby is now recovering well in hospital. Kenyan news accounts such as @K24Tv and @CitizenTVKE joined the chorus, framing the story as a testament to the resilience of the Kenyan diaspora. Discussions trended under #KenyanNurseHero, with users debating the underappreciation of migrant healthcare workers—Muthoni herself replied to several posts, humbly stating, "Just did what any nurse would do. God bless."

The buzz has sparked broader conversations on X about Kenyans abroad contributing to global communities, with some users calling for government recognition back home. Comments ranged from celebratory memes to calls for Muthoni to be awarded the Order of the Burning Spear. One popular reply from @DiasporaWatchKE read: "This is why remittances aren't just money—they're skills and heart exported. Kudos Florence!" As of December 2, the thread continues to gain traction, underscoring the positive impact of Kenya's 3 million-strong diaspora.