NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi City County has issued an urgent appeal to the public to help identify 107 unclaimed bodies currently held at the Nairobi Funeral Home, formerly known as City Mortuary.
The facility has surpassed its capacity, straining its ability to accommodate more deceased persons.
In a statement, the county’s Health, Wellness, and Nutrition sector called on those who have lost contact with family members or are unsure of their whereabouts to visit the mortuary and check whether their relatives are among the unclaimed bodies.
The facility, designed to hold 184 bodies, is now hosting over 600, making it crucial to free up space.
“The public is urged to assist by identifying their loved ones to alleviate the pressure being experienced at the funeral home,” the county urged.
Citing the Public Health Act, which mandates that bodies must be kept for at least three months before legal permission for disposal can be sought, the county explained that they are seeking a court order to dispose of the unclaimed bodies.
Following the three-month period, a 14-day public notice must be issued before any further action can be taken.
However, on October 2, the county’s attempt to obtain court approval for disposal was delayed. The court declined to issue the order, stating that the Attorney General must first be served and allowed to respond, particularly in light of concerns over extra-judicial killings.
“The general public is hereby notified that the County has served the Attorney General’s office, and the matter will be mentioned on October 15, 2024,” the county stated.
This legal hurdle has delayed the disposal process, leaving the facility struggling to manage its overflow of bodies.
The county hopes the public will step forward to identify the deceased and help ease the burden on the facility as it awaits further court proceedings.
The facility has surpassed its capacity, straining its ability to accommodate more deceased persons.
In a statement, the county’s Health, Wellness, and Nutrition sector called on those who have lost contact with family members or are unsure of their whereabouts to visit the mortuary and check whether their relatives are among the unclaimed bodies.
The facility, designed to hold 184 bodies, is now hosting over 600, making it crucial to free up space.
“The public is urged to assist by identifying their loved ones to alleviate the pressure being experienced at the funeral home,” the county urged.
Citing the Public Health Act, which mandates that bodies must be kept for at least three months before legal permission for disposal can be sought, the county explained that they are seeking a court order to dispose of the unclaimed bodies.
Following the three-month period, a 14-day public notice must be issued before any further action can be taken.
However, on October 2, the county’s attempt to obtain court approval for disposal was delayed. The court declined to issue the order, stating that the Attorney General must first be served and allowed to respond, particularly in light of concerns over extra-judicial killings.
“The general public is hereby notified that the County has served the Attorney General’s office, and the matter will be mentioned on October 15, 2024,” the county stated.
This legal hurdle has delayed the disposal process, leaving the facility struggling to manage its overflow of bodies.
The county hopes the public will step forward to identify the deceased and help ease the burden on the facility as it awaits further court proceedings.
