Kenyatta National Hospital has issued a public notice giving families until March 31 to claim the remains of 480 unclaimed bodies currently held at its Farewell Home mortuary in Nairobi.
The notice, published on March 24, indicates that the bodies include 378 children and 102 adults.
According to the hospital, some of the remains have been at the facility since January 2024, highlighting a growing crisis of congestion at the mortuary.
The hospital warned that if the bodies are not identified and collected within seven days, it will proceed with court-approved disposal in line with provisions of the Public Health Act.
KNH attributed the situation largely to financial constraints, noting that many families are unable to settle hospital bills required for the release of bodies.
Poverty and lack of proper identification documents have also been cited as key barriers.
The announcement has sparked widespread concern among members of the public, particularly over the high number of children among the unclaimed bodies.
Observers have linked the issue to rising neonatal deaths, illnesses affecting vulnerable children—including those living on the streets—and broader socio-economic challenges.
Some Kenyans have proposed solutions such as the creation of a national DNA database and the publication of anonymized online records or photographs to help families identify missing relatives more easily.
The hospital has urged anyone who may have lost a loved one to visit the Farewell Home mortuary for identification before the March 31 deadline.
