Nairobi County has seven days to dispose of 185 unclaimed dead.

Nairobi residents have been given a seven-day ultimatum to identify the bodies of their loved ones currently housed at the City Mortuary, Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, and Mbagathi Hospital morgues.

Failure to claim these bodies within the stipulated timeframe will lead to Nairobi County disposing of all 185 unclaimed bodies. Specifically, City Mortuary holds 130 unclaimed bodies, Mbagathi Hospital Mortuary has 38, and Mama Lucy Hospital Mortuary has 17.

These unclaimed bodies have accumulated in the mortuaries between September 2021 and December 2023, originating from various police stations.

A public notice issued under the Public Health Act Cap 242 [Subsidiary: PUBLIC HEALTH (PUBLIC MORTUARIES) RULES, 1991 (2)] urges interested members of the public to identify and collect the bodies within seven days. Failure to do so will prompt Nairobi City County to seek authorization for disposal.

The announcement has sparked debate, especially since some of the bodies are suspected to be individuals who died by suicide. Concerns have been raised regarding whether the families of these individuals are aware of their demise.

Acting County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Patrick Analo highlighted various causes of death among the unclaimed bodies, including road accidents, murder, sudden deaths, natural causes, and mob justice.

According to the Public Health Act Cap 242 of 1991, an unclaimed body must be removed from a mortuary within fourteen days. Failure to claim it within this period may result in disposal in a mass grave, subject to obtaining court permission by the relevant public officer.