Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has announced its plans to dispose of unclaimed bodies at its farewell home, with an alarming number of babies included in the list. According to a notice dated July 25, out of the 233 unclaimed bodies set for disposal, a staggering 125 of them are babies.

Among the unclaimed babies, the notice revealed that there are four sets of twins. The hospital is now reaching out to the public, urging them to come forward and identify the bodies through the published list. Families and relatives have been given a one-week window to claim the bodies.

The notice issued by KNH stated, "Interested public is therefore requested to identify and collect the bodies within seven days, failure to which the hospital will seek authority from the courts to dispose of them."

The decision to dispose of these unclaimed bodies is in accordance with the Public Health Act Cap 242 Subsidiary Legislation Public Health Public Mortuaries Rules, 1991. KNH is obligated to follow these guidelines to manage unclaimed bodies appropriately.

Sadly, this is not the first time the hospital has faced such a situation. On June 6, the hospital had previously announced its intention to dispose of 238 unclaimed bodies from its morgue.

The disposal of unclaimed bodies, especially such a high number of infants, highlights the pressing need for improved identification and tracing processes. KNH's call to the public serves as a reminder for families and relatives to take necessary steps to identify their loved ones and claim their remains promptly.

As the hospital takes this step to manage unclaimed bodies, it also underscores the importance of societal efforts to support vulnerable populations and ensure proper documentation and handling of deceased individuals.