The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has issued a 21-day notice over 47 unclaimed bodies lying at its mortuary.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 25, the hospital said the bodies include 32 male adults, among them two children, one aged two years, 13 foetuses, one female adult, and one unidentified skull.
“The bodies have remained unclaimed for more than three (3) months and are therefore due for disposal in accordance with public health regulations,” the statement read.
The hospital went on to outline where most of the bodies were recovered from across the county and its environs.
“Records indicate that the deceased were recovered from various locations across Kisumu County and its environs, including JOOTRH (Casualty, Newborn Unit, Ward 3A and Ward 7), Kisumu Stadium, Otonglo Village, Daraja Mbili, World Vision area, Kisumu Bus Terminus, Coptic, Nyalenda (including roadside), Holo, Nyawita (dumpsite), Kanyakwar, Usoma, Kibos (including Kibos Farm, Irrigation area, and Kibos River), Carwash, Kapuonja, Kasawino, Usoma, CBD, Obunga, Arina, Manyatta and Lolwe, among others,” the statement added.
The hospital also explained the varying circumstances surrounding the deaths of the deceased individuals.
“The nature of death varies and includes sudden deaths, drowning incidents, mob injustice, accidents, including hit-and-run cases, abortions (in the case of foetuses) and cases where the cause of death remains unknown or not provided,” the statement continued.
Providing details on reporting procedures, the hospital indicated that some of the cases had been documented through police stations while others lacked official records.
“Some cases were reported through police stations such as Kisumu Central, Kondele, Obunga, Kasagam, Bondo DCI, Migosi/Gita, Maseno and Kogony, while others have no recorded police details,” the statement further read.
The hospital urged members of the public with missing relatives to visit the mortuary within the specified timeframe to assist in identification.
“Members of the public who may have missing relatives or loved ones are urged to visit the JOOTRH mortuary to assist in identification within twenty-one (21) days, from 30th March 2026 to 24th April 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m,” the statement noted.
JOOTRH warned of the consequences should the bodies remain unclaimed after the deadline.
“Failure to claim the bodies within the stipulated period will necessitate their disposal in accordance with public health regulations. JOOTRH appeals for cooperation from the public to ensure that families are given an opportunity to identify and accord their loved ones a dignified send-off,” the statement concluded.
