KNH to dispose of unclaimed bodies of 246 babies, 16 adults within seven days

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has notified the public that it plans to dispose of 262 bodies if they are not identified and claimed in the next seven(7) days.

Among them are over 246 babies and 16 adults who are likely to be buried in mass graves if their loved ones will not identify them in the coming days.

KNH provided a list of names, genders, and tag names of the bodies urging the public to identify the bodies soon.

In a public notice published in this week’s MyGov, the hospital said it is acting in compliance with Public Health Act Cap 242 Subsidiary legislation Public Health Public Mortuaries rules, 1991.

"Pursuant to Public Health Act Cap 242 [Subsidiary: Public health (Public mortuaries) Rules, 19911 (2). Interested members of the public are therefore requested to identify and collect the bodies within 7 days failure to which the hospital will seek authority from courts to dispose of them," the notice read.

KNH said that out of the 262 unclaimed bodies 120 are females, 141 males, and one with an unspecified gender.

According to the list released by KNH, children are the most affected group by this seemingly growing problem.

Many children die at the largest referral hospital in the country every month, but their bodies are never claimed.

The Public Health Act requires that an unclaimed body be removed from a mortuary within two weeks.

If not, it should be buried in a mass grave after public officers obtain permission from a court.

The hospital said a list of the names of the unclaimed bodies is available at the KNH Farewell Home and can also be accessed through the institution’s website.

The hospital has called on members of the public to identify and claim the bodies within the specified period.

"Failure to do so will compel the hospital to seek authority from the courts to dispose of them," the notice stated.

Various hospitals across Nairobi County have continued to bear the burden of preserving unclaimed bodies in their facilities.

Cap 242 of the Public Health Act says an unclaimed body should be removed from a mortuary within two weeks, or it should be disposed of in a mass grave after public officers obtain the court's permission.