The governor of Nairobi county, Mike Sonko, has suspended the top management of a hospital in Kenya's capital after discovering the corpses of 12 infants stuffed in boxes during a surprise visit to the facility, his office has said in a statement.

A caretaker board been appointed to oversee urgent reforms at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital so that quality healthcare is restored at the facility, the statement added.

Police are also investigating the mysterious deaths of the infants.

Pumwani is one of the top public maternity centres in Kenya. But it has been dogged by controversy for many years, including allegations about the mistreatment of pregnant women.

Among those suspended is the hospital medical superintendent Dr Catherine Mutinda, administrator Zaddock Angahya and the gynecologist on duty, Dr James Kamau, Mr Sonko's office said in a statement.

They have not yet commented.

In an online live stream of Mr Sonko's visit, hospital staff struggled to explain why the bodies were stuffed in boxes.