Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a seven-day notice for members of the public to identify and collect unclaimed bodies held at its Farewell Home. The hospital is holding a number of unclaimed bodies and has called on interested members of the public to come forward and identify them. This notice has been issued pursuant to the Public Health Act, Cap 242, and the Public Health (Public Mortuaries) Rules, 1991.
The hospital has published a list of the unclaimed bodies as part of the notice. Members of the public who may have information about the identity of the deceased or their relatives have been urged to contact KNH within the seven days. Failure to identify and collect the bodies within the specified timeframe will lead to the hospital seeking authority from the courts to dispose of them.
This move by KNH follows a similar announcement by the Nairobi City County in August. The county issued a seven-day notice for members of the public to identify and collect 59 unclaimed bodies lying at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Funeral Home. The bodies had remained at the facility from their respective dates of admission while awaiting collection.
The notice issued by the county's Health, Wellness and Nutrition department listed bodies admitted between April 2025 and February 2026, with most identified as adult men. The list also includes women and several bodies whose identities remain unknown. Relatives, friends, and other interested members of the public were asked to check the list and identify any of the bodies.
The Nairobi City County notice included details such as names, ages, genders, admission numbers, and facilities or locations from which the bodies were brought to the Mama Lucy Kibaki Funeral Home. Several entries were listed only as “Unknown African Man” or similar descriptions, while others have been identified by name.
Kenyans with information about the identity of the deceased or their relatives have been urged to contact KNH by PERPETUA ETYANG. The public is advised to come forward with any information that may help identify the unclaimed bodies. This will enable the hospital to reunite the bodies with their rightful owners or facilitate proper disposal.
The notices issued by both KNH and Nairobi City County highlight the issue of unclaimed bodies in Kenya's healthcare facilities. The Public Health Act and relevant rules provide a framework for handling such cases, ensuring that unclaimed bodies are disposed of in a dignified and respectful manner.
Key points
- KNH has issued a seven-day notice for the public to identify and collect unclaimed bodies.
- The notice follows a similar announcement by Nairobi City County for 59 unclaimed bodies.
- Relatives and interested members of the public are urged to come forward with information to identify the bodies.
