A man is suing a city hospital for allegedly withholding his wife's body over an unpaid bill of Ksh2.6 million.
On October 14, the man, who is a boda boda rider, took the hospital to court to force them to release his late wife's body for burial, saying that he could not afford to pay the large sum but needed to bury his wife.
She reportedly died on September 29, 2025 during intensive care treatment after developing maternal complications.
According to court documents, she had a stillbirth on September 17, 2025, before her condition worsened, necessitating her placement under intensive care.
He said that his wife had an emergency caesarean section to remove the foetus and save her life, after the hospital discovered that the foetus was not breathing.
In his ruling on the matter, Justice Nixon Sifuna ordered the man, via his lawyer, to serve the application to the hospital with immediate effect.
However, Judge Sifuna issued a directive that all responses be filed and served within two days of October 14, with the case to be heard on October 22, 2025.
The man informed the court that his wife’s body had been transferred to a funeral home with which the hospital has an arrangement.
He pleaded with the court, stating that he could not raise the arrears as he only makes Ksh25,000 a month, and has a four-year-old son to provide for.
He added that he had used all his savings and received support from friends and family, but was still unable to settle the bill in full.
He revealed that he had paid Ksh450,000 during his wife’s treatment and had raised a further Ksh650,000, which he gave to the hospital.
He stated that the medical bill had accumulated to Ksh2.6 million by the time of her death, prompting the hospital to retain the burial permit.
