23 decomposed, unclaimed bodies at Naivasha mortuary to be buried in mass grave

23 decomposed and unclaimed bodies currently lying at the hospital mortuary will be buried in a mass grave unless claimed within twenty-one (21) days.

County Government of Nakuru issued a public notice through the Naivasha Sub County Hospital.

The notice published on local dailies, lists the identities, dates of admission, police stations involved, and causes of death where available.

Most of the bodies are of unknown male adults, with a few female and named individuals also among the deceased.

According to the hospital, the bodies have overstayed the mandatory period allowed under the Public Health Act Cap 242 Laws of Kenya.

The hospital has appealed to the public and relevant authorities to assist in identifying and claiming the bodies.

The majority of the cases involve victims of traffic accidents, particularly along the busy Naivasha–Nakuru highway, a notorious blackspot for road carnage.

Police officers from various stations including Naivasha Traffic, Mai Mahiu Police, and Magumu Police were involved in bringing the bodies to the hospital.

Notably, the list includes three identified individuals, Tabitha Wanjiku Muriuki, (admitted 13/1/2025), Joseph Lazarus (admitted 11/1/2025), and Alex Ubai (admitted 19/6/2024).

The hospital has indicated that if the bodies are not claimed within the stated period, they will be buried in a mass grave at the Naivasha Public Cemetery in Longonot after all legal procedures are observed.

The public is urged to contact the Medical Superintendent at Naivasha Sub County Hospital via 0792 498 777 for any information that may help in identifying or claiming the deceased.

A while back the county government of Nakuru County declared that it has run out of space to bury the dead. The then County Executive in-charge of Health, Dr Mungai Kabii, has declared the North and South cemeteries full though a notice issued on June 2 2015.

Nakuru North Cemetery is one of the oldest burial grounds in the country, was opened in 1918 and was then used to bury soldiers who had been killed during the First World War.

This situation highlights a growing challenge in Kenya’s public health and civil registration systems, as hospitals struggle with overcrowded morgues and rising numbers of unidentified or unclaimed bodies, often resulting from road traffic accidents, homelessness, or lack of proper identification documents.

Lang'ata Cemetery in Nairobi is currently deemed full and has been closed to new burials, with the Health Ministry had previously suggested closing the cemetery due to health concerns.

The cemetery is the final resting place of a number of famous Kenyans.