Nairobi City County has issued a seven-day public notice asking families and friends to come forward and identify 473 unclaimed bodies currently held at the Nairobi Funeral Home, formerly Nairobi City Mortuary.
According to the notice dated August 11, 2026, the bodies have overstayed and are occupying space needed for new cases.
The list includes adults and children brought in from hospitals, road accidents, and police stations across the city.
“Members of the public with relatives who may have died and not been collected are requested to visit the mortuary within seven days,” the county said.
Identification will be done during working hours with valid ID and supporting documents.Officials warned that bodies not collected within the period may be disposed of in line with the Public Health Act.
Mass burial is usually considered only when no relatives come forward.Health officers say prolonged storage puts pressure on facilities and delays services for other grieving families.
They have asked churches, community groups and the public to help trace kin.
The county acknowledged that high funeral costs and lack of information often leave bodies unclaimed.
A contact line has been provided at the funeral home to guide families on paperwork and possible waivers.
The county says the exercise aims to decongest the facility while restoring dignity to the deceased and giving families a chance to lay their loved ones to rest.
