Kenyatta National Hospital Issues Disposal Notice for 262 Unclaimed Bodies
Nairobi, Kenya – June 3, 2025 — Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued an urgent seven-day public notice calling on relatives and the general public to identify and collect 262 unclaimed bodies currently being held at the hospital’s Farewell Home. The directive, announced via MyGov on Tuesday, warns that failure to claim the bodies within the stipulated period will compel the hospital to seek court authorization for their disposal in accordance with existing public health laws.
The notice reads in part: “In accordance with the Public Health Act Cap 242 and the Public Health (Public Mortuaries) Rules, 1991, members of the public are hereby requested to identify and collect unclaimed bodies held at the hospital’s Farewell Home within seven days. Failure to do so will necessitate the hospital to seek court authority to dispose of these bodies.”
Out of the 262 unclaimed bodies, 246 are infants and 16 are adults. Hospital authorities have expressed concern over the increasing burden placed on mortuary facilities, citing overcrowding and limited storage capacity as significant operational challenges.
“The volume of unclaimed bodies has reached a critical point,” a KNH spokesperson stated. “It hampers effective service delivery and puts pressure on our limited resources. We urge families and concerned parties to come forward promptly.”
This announcement highlights a recurring issue that has plagued public health institutions across Kenya in recent years — the accumulation of unclaimed bodies in public mortuaries. The reasons for bodies going unclaimed vary, ranging from socio-economic hardship, abandonment, and homelessness to delays in tracing the next of kin or legal guardians.
Kenya’s Public Health Act Cap 242 stipulates that public mortuaries must retain unclaimed bodies until all reasonable efforts to identify and contact next of kin have been exhausted. If unclaimed after such efforts, disposal may only proceed upon obtaining legal clearance from a court. This legal framework aims to balance public health concerns with the dignity and humane treatment of the deceased.
KNH is not alone in dealing with this crisis. In February 2025, Nairobi City County issued a similar seven-day notice for the collection of 236 unclaimed bodies. Of these, 218 were at the Nairobi City Mortuary and 18 at Mama Lucy Kibaki Funeral Home. The deceased were linked to diverse causes of death, including accidents, drowning, mob justice, homicide, natural causes, and suicide.
In April 2025, Nakuru County announced a 21-day deadline for the identification and collection of 59 unclaimed bodies from two local mortuaries. According to officials, the bodies had overstayed at the facilities for more than three months, significantly affecting daily operations. These included 22 adults and 22 infants at the Nakuru Annex facility and 15 adults at the county referral hospital.
Other counties have also reported similar challenges. Overcrowded mortuaries and limited storage infrastructure continue to pose a serious public health concern, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Health officials and county governments are calling for improved public awareness and inter-agency collaboration to resolve the issue more sustainably. Suggestions include creating a national registry of unclaimed bodies, improving identification processes, and enhancing outreach to families through community health networks.
In the meantime, KNH has appealed to the public to respond within the given timeframe. “This is a deeply sensitive issue,” the hospital emphasized. “While we are bound by legal and operational responsibilities, we also recognize the emotional and cultural importance of giving the deceased a dignified farewell.”
Should the seven-day period elapse without sufficient response, the hospital will initiate legal procedures to obtain court approval for the disposal of the bodies, as mandated by law.
Members of the public who may have lost contact with loved ones or are aware of missing individuals are encouraged to visit KNH’s Farewell Home immediately for possible identification.
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Kenyatta National Hospital Issues Disposal Notice for 262 Unclaimed Bodies