In a bid to manage limited morgue space and uphold public health standards, Narok County Referral Hospital has issued a 14-day public notice calling on families to identify and collect nine unclaimed bodies currently held at its Farewell Home. The notice, published on August 24, 2025, cites compliance with the Public Health Act, Cap 242, and the Public Health (Public Mortuaries) Rules, 1991. Unclaimed remains, if not retrieved within this period, will thereafter require court authorization for disposal.
Under Kenyan law, bodies may not remain in public mortuaries for more than 10 days without being collected. If unclaimed for 21 days, hospitals may proceed with disposal following a 14-day public notification and a court order. These regulations aim to balance respectful treatment of the deceased with logistical demands.
This latest directive follows a similar announcement by Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) earlier this year, where relatives were given seven days to claim over 124 unclaimed bodies—including many of children—or face disposal proceedings. Narok’s announcement may prove alarming to some families who have lost contact with loved ones or are unaware of their passing. The hospital urges anyone seeking more information to contact its public health office directly.
This latest directive follows a similar announcement by Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) earlier this year, where relatives were given seven days to claim over 124 unclaimed bodies—including many of children—or face disposal proceedings. Narok’s announcement may prove alarming to some families who have lost contact with loved ones or are unaware of their passing. The hospital urges anyone seeking more information to contact its public health office directly.
Careful management of unclaimed bodies is a persistent challenge across Kenyan health facilities. Long stays in mortuaries strain space and resources. When disposal becomes unavoidable, bodies are typically interred in public cemeteries or communal graves, often without funeral rites. This situation places an urgent responsibility on local communities and county health administrators to enhance outreach and maintain accurate record-keeping. Strengthening communication channels could support families in identifying deceased relatives before legal deadlines elapse.
If you believe a family member may be affected, now is the time to act. Relatives should visit Narok County Referral Hospital’s Farewell Home without delay, or reach the hospital's public health office for guidance. In the weeks ahead, the hospital will proceed with legal steps for disposal if no claim is made, while ensuring compliance with statutory protocols. The next 14 days could determine whether these individuals receive a respectful burial in line with Kenyan legal and cultural practices.
