Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a public notice urging families to claim 480 unclaimed bodies currently held at its Farewell Home, warning that the remains will be disposed of within seven days if not identified.

In the notice published on its website on March 24, 2026, the hospital said the bodies comprise 102 adults and 378 children, highlighting the urgency of the appeal to the public.

The management urged relatives and guardians to come forward promptly to identify and collect the bodies to avoid their disposal in accordance with the law.

“Interested members of the public are therefore requested to identify and collect the bodies within seven days; failure to which the hospital will seek authority from the courts to dispose of them,”  KNH stated.

Public Health Act

Citing the Public Health Act, the hospital moved to address overcrowding by disposing of bodies unclaimed for over 21 days. Under Kenyan law, this process requires both a public notice and a court order.

The situation reflects a broader strain on the health sector, as bed space in mortuaries is increasingly occupied by remains that families, hindered by poverty or a lack of information, are unable to collect.

“Pursuant to Public Health Act Cap 242 [Subsidiary Legislation PUBLIC HEALTH (PUBLIC MORTUARIES) RULES, 1991], 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 the courts to dispose them,” KNH stated.

In many instances, bodies remain in morgues long after the legally stipulated period, forcing institutions to resort to mass burials. Hospitals must get court approval before they can throw anything away. This makes sure that the process is done legally.

The Ministry of Health must give permission for unclaimed bodies to be used for medical training and research in some cases. This is because the Anatomy Act Cap 249 has strict rules about how this can happen.

The list of the bodies is available at the KNH Farewell Home and can also be accessed on the link below: www.knh.or.ke or https://knh.or.ke/index.php/disposal-of-unclaimed-bodies/