By Martha Okoth
Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Nassir on 2 /3/2026 signed an Executive Order waiving mortuary storage fees for the first seven days at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) for residents of Mombasa County.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, seeks to ease the financial burden on grieving families during the critical first days following the loss of a loved one. Under the new order, mortuary storage charges at CGTRH will only begin to accrue after the seventh day, and only upon proof of Mombasa County residency.
County officials said the waiver is intended to ensure that no family faces financial pressure while making funeral arrangements. The order also recognizes the county’s diverse religious and cultural burial practices, many of which require time for preparation and coordination before a dignified send-off can take place.
Importantly, the waiver applies strictly to mortuary storage fees and does not cover other hospital-related expenses.
Families whose relatives are currently being held at the CGTRH mortuary due to accumulated storage charges have been invited to collect them with immediate effect, in line with the new directive.
Speaking on the decision, the county leadership expressed solidarity with bereaved families across Mombasa. “No family should face financial pressure in the first days of grief,” the statement read, reaffirming the county government’s commitment to compassionate and people-centered service delivery.
The County Government of Mombasa has encouraged residents to liaise directly with hospital administration for guidance on the implementation process and required documentation to confirm residency.
The policy is expected to bring relief to many households and underscores the county’s broader efforts to enhance social support systems for its residents during times of loss.
