Overcrowded City Mortuary Appeals for Public to Help in Body Identification

Nairobi City County has issued an urgent appeal to the public for assistance in identifying 107 unclaimed bodies currently residing at the City Mortuary, now referred to as the Nairobi Funeral Home.

The County's Health, Wellness, and Nutrition sector has called upon individuals who have lost contact with loved ones or are uncertain of their whereabouts to visit the facility and verify if their relatives are among the deceased. The facility presently houses over 600 bodies, far surpassing its intended capacity of 184. This overcrowding has created a pressing need for public assistance in identifying the deceased to alleviate the strain on the mortuary. The County is seeking legal authorization to dispose of the unclaimed bodies, citing the Public Health Act cap 242, which stipulates that bodies must be stored for a minimum of three months before disposal can be sanctioned.

On September 20, 2024, the County sought court orders to proceed with the disposal of the 107 unclaimed bodies. However, on October 2, 2024, the court declined to issue the order, stating that the Attorney General must be served and allowed to respond to the County's application. This decision was influenced by several cases of extra-judicial killings, which have heightened sensitivity surrounding the disposal of unclaimed bodies. Subsequently, the County has served the Attorney General's office, and the matter is scheduled for mention on October 15, 2024. This delay has further exacerbated the situation at the funeral home, rendering it unable to accommodate additional bodies.

The overpopulation of bodies at the City Mortuary poses significant public health risks, including the potential spread of infectious diseases. The legal framework established by the Public Health Act cap 242 aims to ensure that families have adequate time to identify their loved ones and make arrangements for their burial, requiring a minimum storage period of three months and a 14-day public notice before any disposal actions. By identifying their deceased relatives, families can help alleviate the pressure on the funeral home and ensure that the departed receive a dignified burial.

The issue of unclaimed bodies at public mortuaries is not new in Kenya, with various counties facing similar challenges over the years. These problems are often exacerbated by socioeconomic factors and inadequate public health infrastructure.