Mystery Deepens Over Death of 15 Street Children Across Nairobi

Nine members of Nairobi’s street community were buried this week at Lang’ata Cemetery after their bodies remained unclaimed in public mortuaries.

The burial formed part of an initiative to inter 15 individuals whose bodies had been held at Nairobi Funeral Home and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital mortuary. While nine were laid to rest, six others remain at the facilities awaiting post-mortem examinations. 

Official records show the deaths occurred on different dates and in various parts of Nairobi, with causes ranging from sudden collapse and suspected homicide to suicide and illnesses linked to malnutrition. Dozens of mourners from the street community attended the ceremony, many without shoes. 

Among them was Moses, who spoke of his friend Enock, with whom he lived in Mlango Kubwa. He said their daily struggle for survival often involved substance use to cope with hunger and cold. 

“I’ll miss you, Enock,” he said, recalling conversations they shared on the streets.

Another mourner, Mary Nyambura, remembered Munyiri, whom she described as a familiar presence near Pangani Girls’ High School. She said she was shocked to learn of his death, which is suspected to have resulted from strangulation.

Peter Wanjiru, a coordinator for street families who is also known as Chokora Msafi, said most deaths among people living on the streets are caused by exposure to harsh weather and lack of food. He said many are forced into street life by circumstances beyond their control, rather than choice.

The burial was organised with support from the Agnes Kagure Foundation, which covered the costs of the mass graves. Agnes Kagure said that although mortuaries often waive storage fees for unclaimed bodies, cemetery charges remain high. She said the deceased had died from causes including malnutrition, attacks by criminals at night, and respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia caused by sleeping outdoors.

Ms Kagure noted that many of those buried were young adults aged between 18 and 35, and that one of the deceased was a three-month-old infant. She said access to vocational training and social support could have changed the course of their lives.

The ceremony was led by Pastor David Maina of PEFA Church, who offered prayers as the coffins were lowered into the graves. He told mourners, “From earth you came and earth you return,” as the community observed moments of silence.