Kaz With his dad Titus
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The Theuri family of Borehamwood, England, is grappling with profound grief and an arduous struggle following the death of their father, 82-year-old Titus Gatuthu Kabûrû Theuri, on October 24.
Titus fell ill while visiting Nairobi in late August due to a family emergency, ultimately suffering from septic pneumonia while hospitalized at Metropolitan Hospital. Kaz Theuri, Titus’s son, has accused the hospital of essentially holding his father’s body hostage due to an outstanding medical bill totalling £45,000 (approximately KES 8,122,500). This financial burden has not only delayed the family’s closure but has also intensified their grief over the loss of their patriarch.
Following his father’s death, Kaz describes the ensuing months as "unbearable," marked by relentless pressure from the hospital's finance department, which reportedly contacted the family multiple times daily demanding payment. These pressures have compounded the family's distress, particularly for Kaz's mother, a former nurse, who struggles against escalating emotional unrest and deteriorating health.
Initial arrangements with the hospital required an upfront payment of Sh 3 million (£16,000) followed by monthly instalments of Sh 200,000 (£1,000). However, Kaz reports that the hospital later changed these terms, demanding Sh 300,000 per month and requiring collateral in the form of a title deed. This left the family facing threats that their property would be sold if payments were missed.
Despite paying £14,000, the family has not been able to proceed with the burial of Titus due to the hospital withholding the burial permit. The absence of this permit prevents them from obtaining a death certificate, further complicating their ability to fulfil the cultural customs that Titus wanted, including his burial in Kenya. Kaz has moved in with his mother to support her through this challenging time, as the emotional weight of their situation has severely impacted her health.
The need to secure a burial permit has created an ongoing sense of limbo for the family, exacerbating their grief. Kaz Theuri believes the experiences faced by his family are not isolated and suggests that the hospital has imposed similar challenges on other patients’ families. In pursuit of a resolution, the Theuri family has reached out to various organizations, including the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, the Kenya High Commission, and their local MP, Sir Oliver Dowden.
Although an agreement to release the burial permit was reached on December 9, the document remains unsigned, prolonging their struggle. The Theuri family’s plight has sparked outrage within diaspora communities and prompted the establishment of a GoFundMe campaign to assist in covering the remaining medical expenses. Kaz emphasizes that this situation extends beyond financial implications; it revolves around dignity, closure, and honouring his father’s last wishes.
He advocates for changes to ensure no other family endures a similar ordeal. As of now, efforts to reach Metropolitan Hospital for comments on the situation have been unsuccessful. Those who resonate with the Theuri family’s struggles are encouraged to support their GoFundMe campaign.