Families in agony as hospitals detain bodies over unpaid bills

Mary Nyaigero holds portrait photo of her deceased son Freddy Chieff 37 who was hospitalized at The Karen Hospital Langata Road on August 4 and died on October 6 after being diagnosed with pancreas ailment. The hospital is demanding Sh18 million to release the body, an amount the family is not able to raise.

Mary Munyao’s life was shattered following the news of her nephew’s death. For three weeks now, she wakes up with her bed sheets drenched in tears after a night of pain and anguish.

On May 2, she lost her orphaned nephew. The young man had shown drive and ambition in a city that can be unforgiving. Unfortunately, Nairobi, which held so much promise for a young Peter Munyao, was also the city that devoured him.