Family seeks help to bury kin’s body detained in morgue over unpaid bill

The late Daniel Nyaiga’s wife Rose Atieno (carrying a baby), his father Crisantus Oswago (supporting himself with a walking stick) and other family members in Homa Bay town on July 16, 2020. [James Omoro, Standard]

According to the Luo traditions, if one passes on, it is the duty of the family to give him or her a decent send-off to appease the spirits. 

But a family in West Kabuoch Location, Ndhiwa Constituency in Homa Bay is living in pain and daily agony as they cannot bury one of their own after an Eldoret hospital detained his body over Sh759, 299 unpaid hospital bill.

Daniel Nyaiga, 44, died of cancer on July 7 at Eldoret Hospital Limited in Uasin Gishu County, but his body has been detained at the facility morgue until the family clears the medical bill.

His family is now stranded following a Luo culture which requires that man’s body be buried in his home.

Yesterday, Nyaiga’s father Crisantus Oswago, mother Isdora Auma and the widow, Rose Atieno called on well-wishers to assist them to settle the bill to secure the release of his body for burial.

Atieno said her husband died when they had depleted their resources which were spent on medication, both at Homa Bay County Referral and Kisii Level Five hospitals.

“We have spent all resources which we had on his medication. But it is unfortunate he died,” Atieno said.

She said his deceased husband’s sickness has impoverished her family and have failed to raise the money required by the facility.

Oswago said efforts of his family to raise funds had proven futile.

“The hospital has detained the body of my son because of the hospital bill but my family lacks the money. I appeal to well-wishers to intervene so that we can pay the hospital to release the body,” Oswago said.

The family said Nyaiga was taken to the Eldoret hospital by friends and not the family.

“His friends took him to Eldoret in search of life but it is unfortunate that he died. We plead for help,” said Raphael Owino, brother.