Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is set to dispose 253 unclaimed bodies in two weeks’ time. In a Notice on Tuesday the facility issued an ultimatum to families with unclaimed bodies to identify and collect them.
According to the country’s leading referral facility, majority of the bodies are for babies, even though KNH did not explain circumstances under which the babies died.
Data seen by The Kenya Times shows that among the 239 unclaimed bodies for babies are 132 boys and 107 girls.
“The Kenyatta National Hospital is in possession of a number of unclaimed bodies at its Farewell home,” the hospital said.
Subsequently, the hospital in the notice shared names and gender of the bodies, urging families to visit the facility and collect them in the next two weeks.
KNH noted that it was acting in compliance with Public Health Act Cap 242 Subsidiary legislation Public Health Public Mortuaries rules, 1991.
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KNH Adult Bodies
On the other part 14 unclaimed bodies of adults are among the bodies set for disposal in two weeks’ time. One of the bodies identified to be male is at Mwai Kibaki hospital.
“Pursuant to Public Health Act Cap 242, interested members of the public are therefore requested to identify and collect bodies withing 14 days,” the statement from the hospital’s management reads in part.
Similarly, this is not the first time the hospital has disposed of unclaimed bodies. In January, the hospital gave a week’s notice before it moved to dispose of unclaimed bodies to ease pressure on its preservation facilities.
Additionally, the facility stated that it will seek authority from the courts to dispose of bodies that will not be claimed during the grace period.
According to the Public Health Act, an unclaimed body is removed from a mortuary within two weeks.
Contrary to that, it should be buried in a mass grave after public officers obtain permission from a court.
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Kenyatta National Hospital
KNH is an established State Corporation from 1987 through Legal Notice No. 109 of 6th April 1987 as amended by the KNH Amendment Order 2021.
Moreover, the facility is mandated to receive patients on referral from other hospitals or institutions within or outside Kenya for specialized health care.
Additionally, the hospital provides facilities for education and training in nursing and other health and allied institutions.
