Ms Eunice Nyambura Kigera, a resident of Olrongai village in Rongai Sub county, lost her husband to Covid 19 on October 6,2021. To date, she has not been able to bury him.

Two years after his death, Humphrey Kigera’s body is being held at Umash funeral home due to unpaid hospital and mortuary bills.

According to the distressed Nyambura, the family has been unable to pay the medical bill amounting to Sh 5.5 million owed to Nakuru Nursing Home, as well as a hefty morgue bill.

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“2021 was a tough year for our family. My husband who was our breadwinner was no longer present to take care of us. Instead, he was fighting for his life at the Nakuru Nursing Home Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” Nyambura recalls.

A portrait photo of Humphrey Kigera who passed on in October 2021 at Nakuru Nursing home.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“He had been admitted in the ICU on September 4, 2021, where he battled the illness for a month. Losing my long-life partner and the father of my children was a very painful experience for me.”

On top of the loss, Nyambura got to learn of the staggering pending hospital bill.

An official invoice from Nakuru Nursing Home seen by Mtaa Wangu, shows that the total bill for Mr Kigera’s treatment from September 4, 2021 to October 6, 2021 was Sh5.5 million.

At the same time, as of September 19,2023, the morgue bill stood at Sh 1,137,000.

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“I have done fundraisers to raise money so that I can bring my husband’s body home. However, I only managed to raise Sh 250,000. This was only a drop in the ocean as it went into settling some debts and other minor expenses,” she says.

Nyambura’s frustrations led her to the thought of gambling to see if she may end up as a Jackpot winner as she had heard people talk off betting before.

“I heard people were winning thousands and millions while betting. This got me asking myself how I can bet and try my luck. Maybe then I would be able to get money and offer my late husband a befitting send off,” she says.

Eunice Nyambura retrieves her husband's portrait from her house during an interview on September 18,

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Nyambura says a small section at the edge of her farm, meant to be her husband's gravesite has since been occupied by overgrown bushes.

Though everyone has lost hope, Nyambura is still optimistic that she will bury her husband one day, which is why she has identified a gravesite for him.

“The space is enough for even mourners to stand during the burial ceremony,” she says pointing at the grounds.

The widow is now appealing to well-wishers to help them raise the money to clear the bill.

Nyambura says that they have tried reaching out to all political leaders and well-wishers in Nakuru county, but their efforts have borne no fruits.

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The family is now worried that as the body continues to be detained at the mortuary, they might not be able to bury their relative in good condition, as it is slowly deteriorating.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Rongai widow breathes relief as hospital releases husband’s body for burial after six years

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Purity Kinuthia