Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a seven-day notice for the collection of 262 unclaimed bodies currently held at its Farewell Home. In a statement released on Tuesday, the hospital urged the public to identify and claim the bodies of their loved ones before seeking court approval for their disposal.
The hospital clarified that the directive follows the Public Health Act Cap 242, which governs the management of public mortuaries. According to the statement, the unclaimed bodies include 16 adults, 238 babies, and six that have already been consented for disposal.
This announcement comes shortly after Nairobi City County issued a similar appeal regarding 107 unclaimed bodies at the City Mortuary. The county government had called on residents to visit the Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary) to verify whether their missing relatives were among those unclaimed. The facility is facing a critical capacity crisis, housing over 600 bodies despite being designed for only 184.
The County’s Health, Wellness, and Nutrition sector emphasized the urgency of freeing up space and requested public assistance. Under the Public Health Act, bodies must be kept for at least three months before court approval can be sought for disposal. Additionally, a 14-day public notice is required before any further action is taken.
Both institutions have highlighted the growing pressure on their facilities, urging families to come forward promptly to alleviate overcrowding and facilitate respectful handling of the deceased.
