Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is urging families to come forward and identify loved ones among 124 unclaimed bodies currently held at its Farewell Home, warning that it will be forced to seek court permission for disposal if the bodies remain uncollected within the next seven days.
In a public notice issued Tuesday, the hospital said the deceased ranging from infants to adults have not been claimed for extended periods, prompting the need for legal action under the Public Health Act Cap 242.
“These bodies have remained at the mortuary beyond the legally permitted period,” KNH stated. “In line with the Public Mortuaries Rules, 1991, we are giving a final notice to relatives and friends to come forward and identify the deceased within seven days.”
To help with identification, KNH has released a list that includes each body’s gender and mortuary tag number.
Under Kenyan law, bodies left in a public morgue beyond 10 days attract a daily penalty fee. If a body remains unclaimed for 21 days, hospitals can legally dispose of it provided they secure court approval and issue a 14-day public notice.
Hospitals across the country continue to struggle with overcrowded mortuaries, largely due to unclaimed bodies left in their care. KNH’s latest appeal highlights an ongoing public health and administrative challenge, and serves as a reminder to the public to assist in easing the burden.
