There was drama at Mwea Mission Hospital in Kirinyaga County on Wednesday after mourners stormed the mortuary demanding the release of a 62-year-old man’s body, which had been withheld due to unpaid fees.
The deceased, Julius Mwangi from Kiratina village in Mwea, was scheduled to be buried at Kasarani Cemetery.
However, the hospital initially refused to release the body, insisting that a pending mortuary bill of sh 84,600 be paid first.
Led by Pastor David Ngatia, mourners criticized the hospital’s actions, accusing the management of lacking compassion.
They stressed that their only intention was to give Mwangi a respectful burial. Mwangi was one of four family members who tragically died in a fire in Ngurubani two weeks ago.
Martin Mutiga, chair of the burial committee, explained that Mwangi had been admitted to the hospital following the August 16 fire. His medical expenses totaled sh 800,000.
Of this, sh 300,000 was paid by the Social Health Authority (SHA), while the burial committee managed to raise the remaining sh 500,000 through community support.
“We are appealing to the hospital to release the body so we can proceed with the burial, which is just three kilometers away. Despite collecting funds from well-wishers, the body is still being withheld,” said Pastor Ngatia.
The impasse dragged on for more than five hours, disrupting the planned burial and leaving mourners stranded at Kasarani Cemetery.
“It’s already 2 p.m., and we’re still waiting. We can’t bury the children and leave their father behind. All were meant to be laid to rest together. This delay, along with the financial strain, is overwhelming,” said Mary Wanjiku, one of the mourners.
The standoff was finally resolved when Kenya Seed Company chairperson, Purity Wangui Ngirici, stepped in and cleared the outstanding bill, allowing the funeral proceedings to continue.
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