Embu family in agony as kin's body detained over hospital bill

The family of the late David Mathenge Njiiru, who died in June says it has been unable to raise the Ksh.400,000 bill, with the amount increasing at a daily rate of Ksh. 1,000. 

According to, Lawrence Muriuki, the brother to the deceased, the family has only been able to raise Ksh. 44,000.

“We have tried to raise funds from our village, however it is still not enough to get the body of our loved one from the mortuary,” he said.

The family had embarked on funeral arrangements and was set for the burial until it became apparent the body was not going to be released. 

Tabitha Mathenge, daughter to the deceased, said, “The mourning ceremony ended two months ago as people got tired of constantly attending the ceremony with no signs of burial. Even those contributing to the harambee got tired and stopped,” she says.

“I cannot even go to work as I cannot leave my mother in this state.”

The family is seeking the intervention of the government and well-wishers to help get the body released.