PUBLIC NOTICE ON UNCLAIMED BODIES

PUBLIC NOTICE ON UNCLAIMED BODIES

Story by Sherine Atieno and Photo by Lorraine Faith

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) wishes to notify members of the public that there are currently forty-seven (47) unclaimed bodies lying at the hospital farewell home.
Of these:
• 32 are male adults, including two (2) children with one aged 2 years
• 13 are foetuses
• One is a female adult
• One is a skull (unidentified human remains) .
The bodies have remained unclaimed for more than three (3) months and are therefore due for disposal in accordance with public health regulations.
Records indicate that the deceased were recovered from various locations across Kisumu County and its environs, including JOOTRH (Casualty, Newborn Unit, Ward 3A and Ward 7), Kisumu Stadium, Otonglo Village, Daraja Mbili, World Vision area, Kisumu Bus Terminus, Coptic, Nyalenda (including roadside), Holo, Nyawita (dumpsite), Kanyakwar, Usoma, Kibos (including Kibos Farm, Irrigation area, and Kibos River), Carwash, Kapuonja, Kasawino, Usoma, CBD, Obunga, Arina, Manyatta and Lolwe, among others.
The nature of death varies and includes,,sudden deaths , drowning incidents,mob injustice, accidents, including hit-and-run cases,abortions (in the case of foetuses) and cases where the cause of death remains unknown or not provided.
Some cases were reported through police stations such as Kisumu Central, Kondele, Obunga, Kasagam, Bondo DCI, Migosi/Gita, Maseno and Kogony, while others have no recorded police details.
Members of the public who may have missing relatives or loved ones are urged to visit the JOOTRH mortuary to assist in identification within twenty-one (21) days, from 30th March 2026 to 24th April 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Failure to claim the bodies within the stipulated period will necessitate their disposal in accordance with public health regulations.
JOOTRH appeals for cooperation from the public to ensure that families are given an opportunity to identify and accord their loved ones a dignified send-off.