Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a 7-day notice to the families who have not yet claimed their deceased loved ones from the Farewell Home.
In a statement on March 24, the hospital asked for the collection of the unclaimed bodies in accordance with the Public Health Act, Cap 242.
“Kenyatta National Hospital has several unclaimed bodies at its Farewell Home. Pursuant to Public Health Act Cap 242 [Subsidiary Legislation PUBLIC HEALTH (PUBLIC MORTUARIES) RULES,1991], interested members of the public are therefore requested to identify and collect the bodies within 7 days; failure to do so will result in the hospital seeking authority from the courts to dispose of them. The list of the bodies is hereunder indicated,” part of the notice read.
The hospital has listed 102 adults and 378 children on the Farewell facility disposal list, making a total of 480 unclaimed bodies.
According to the KNH, the unclaimed adult disposal list comprises 86 males and 16 females.
Among the 102 unclaimed adults, 30 have not been identified. Out of the thirty adults, there are 28 unidentified males (UAM), and two are females (UAW).
Records by the KNH show entries of unclaimed children from infants only a few days old to several fetuses, often identified by their mothers’ names.
KNH management has provided several points of contact for those looking for lost loved ones. Inquiries can be made via telephone at 020 2726300-4, 020 4243000, or 020 7244000.
Additionally, families can reach out through cellphone numbers 0730 643 000 or 0709 854 000, or via email at [email protected].
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How KNH Applies the Public Health Act
The law requires that bodies not be held in a morgue for more than 10 days. The facility should dispose of unclaimed bodies within 21 days of obtaining a court order and issuing a 14-day public notice.
Individuals responsible for unclaimed bodies in public mortuaries who fail to collect them within the allowed period may face daily penalties payable to the Medical Officer of Health.
Anatomy Act Cap 249 allows medical training institutions, with Ministry of Health approval, to access unclaimed bodies for educational and research purposes under regulated conditions.
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Cases of Unclaimed Bodies in Facilities
Kenyatta National Hospital had earlier announced the disposal of 124 unclaimed bodies at the Farewell Home.
The Nairobi County government also issued a seven-day notice the collect 236 unclaimed bodies, warning that they would be disposed of if not claimed by February 2025.
In April 2025, Nakuru issued a 21-day public notice to dispose of 59 bodies that had remained unclaimed for three months in public morgues in two major hospitals in the County.
