Family of Kenyan Boy Holds His Burial without His Body over Sh17 Million Medical Bill

A Kenyan family was on Wednesday forced to hold a burial ceremony for their 13-year-old son in absence of his body.

The family from Gatuikira, Kiambu County made the move after Getrudes’ Children Hospital reportedly withheld the body of Brian Kimani over a pending medical bill of Sh17.8 million.

The teen was undergoing treatment for Leukemia after a relapse and had been admitted to the hospital for nearly six months before his passing last month.

Family and friends converged at St. Stephens ACK Church in Gatuikira on Wednesday morning for the boy’s memorial service.

But Getrudes’ Hospital, through the Head of Clinical Services Dr. Thomas Ngwiri, refuted claims that the hospital has detained the boy’s remains. 

“In line with professional practice and the recent court ruling on this matter, the hospital enters into an agreement with the affected parents to secure the debt and allows the family to take the body for interment,” Dr. Ngwiri said in a statement.

The hospital said Kimani’s family had informed them that the deceased would be buried on Friday and the two parties were set to have a meeting on Thursday, February 13th to agree on a payment plan.

“It is, therefore, surprising that anybody would claim that the hospital has refused to release the body for a funeral service or burial. The hospital awaits the family for the meeting planned for Thursday, March 12,” added Ngwiri.

The family says it has spent at least Sh30 million for their son’s treatment in India and Kenya.