Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital has appealed to members of the public to help identify 14 unclaimed bodies.
currently lying at its mortuary before they are disposed of in accordance with the law.
Speaking to the media, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vincent Oduor, said the bodies, which were brought to the facility in July 2025 by police officers, had since remained unclaimed.
Dr Oduor urged residents with missing relatives or friends to visit the hospital’s mortuary and verify the identities of the deceased.
The hospital obtained a court order dated October 8 and has given the public until October 24 to identify and claim the bodies. After the deadline, the facility will proceed with the legally authorised disposal process.
“We kindly request members of the public, who have lost relatives or friends to come to the mortuary and confirm whether any of the bodies belong to their loved ones before we proceed with disposal,” he said.
The 14 bodies comprise 13 males and one female. Some of the bodies were brought to the facility in a decomposed state, making identification a matter of urgency.
According to the hospital, five bodies are linked to Homa Bay Town Sub-County, five to Ndhiwa Sub-County, two to Rachuonyo North, specifically Kendu Bay Town, one to Mbita and another to Rachuonyo South.
The hospital called on residents from the named areas and neighbouring communities to assist in identifying the deceased before the deadline expires.
Dr Oduor explained that once the stipulated period has elapsed, the hospital will involve the relevant institutional authorities to facilitate the next steps in handling the unclaimed bodies.
He said the bodies could be buried in designated cemeteries. Alternatively, eligible bodies may be released to recognised medical training institutions for educational purposes, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
The CEO noted that medical schools may seek access to eligible unclaimed bodies for practical training of medical students, a process the CEO described as legal body acquisition.
The facility reiterated its appeal to the public to act before October 24 to help ensure that any missing relatives or friends are identified before the bodies are permanently disposed of.
Members of the public who suspect that a missing relative or friend may be among the 14 bodies are urged to contact Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital’s mortuary for verification.
By Sitna Omar
