By Martha Okoth | March 25, 2026
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital has issued a 21-day public notice for the disposal of 47 unclaimed bodies currently held at its mortuary. The move comes amid growing concerns over unidentified and abandoned remains in health facilities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, hospital management called on members of the public who may have lost relatives to visit the facility and identify the bodies before the notice period lapses. Officials said the measure is in line with public health regulations and aims to decongest the overcrowded mortuary.
According to hospital sources, some of the unclaimed bodies have been stored for extended periods, exceeding the legally permitted duration. Efforts to trace next of kin have been unsuccessful in many cases, prompting the hospital to initiate the next legal step for disposal.
“The hospital has made every reasonable effort to identify and contact relatives of the deceased, but no claims have been made so far,” the notice read. “If no one comes forward within 21 days, the hospital will proceed with disposal in accordance with the law.”
The situation reflects a broader challenge faced by public hospitals nationwide, where mortuary capacity is often strained due to unclaimed bodies. Contributing factors include poverty, lack of proper identification documents, and, in some cases, families being unable or unwilling to meet burial costs.
The hospital urged anyone with missing relatives to report to its mortuary department with relevant identification documents before the 21-day deadline expires.
