The Nairobi County Chief Officer in charge of the Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Department, Geoffrey Mosiria, has proposed the removal of coffin businesses from the entrances of hospitals and areas directly opposite the hospitals.
The Chief Officer said this in a statement published across social media platforms on December 2, 2025, where he posted a video of his interaction with coffin sellers.
"My humble request, however, is this: let us keep coffin shops away from the main entrances of hospitals or directly opposite them," the Chief County Officer said.
Mosiria claims that the presence of coffins adjacent to the hospital could cause panic to patients in critical conditions.
"Patients who are in critical condition may see them and immediately panic or lose hope of recovering," Mosiria claimed.
The Chief Officer called for the balancing of the dignity of the coffin business and the emotional well-being of the sick.
Mosiria, however, commended Kenyans in the coffin business, saying that they are doing God's work with dignity, love, and deep respect for the departed.
"These men and women are doing God's work with dignity, love, and deep respect for the departed. Many people judge them unfairly, yet to me they are God-sent," Mosiria wrote.
Mosiria also recognized the coffin sellers for walking with grieving families during the mourning period.
"They walk with families during their most painful moments, and for that, they deserve our appreciation," Mosiria said.
The coffin business in Kenya is a dynamic and growing industry, deeply integrated with the broader funeral services sector. It is characterized by a mix of specialized funeral homes and numerous small to medium-sized coffin makers across the country.
