A boda boda rider has filed a lawsuit against Westlands General and Specialist Hospital for allegedly detaining his late wife’s body over an unpaid medical bill amounting to KSh 2.6 million. A man has gone to court after a Nairobi hospital withheld his wife’s body (photo for illustration). The incident happened in Nairobi. Geoffrey Imende Otiende sought the release of his wife, Doreen Namabuna, for burial following her death on September 29, 2025. What caused Doreen Namabuna’s death? According to Daily Nation, Namabuna was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital on September 17 after experiencing complications during pregnancy. Doctors discovered the feotus was no longer breathing, prompting an emergency cesarean section to save her life. However, due to excessive blood loss, her condition worsened, and she was transferred to Westlands General and Specialist Hospital for further treatment. At the facility, Namabuna underwent two additional surgical procedures but died while receiving intensive care. Her body was later moved to Chiromo Funeral Home under the hospital’s arrangement. Otiende, who earns an average monthly income of KSh 25,000 and is the father of a four-year-old son, said he exhausted his savings and rallied support from family and friends, managing to pay KSh 1.1 million during the course of treatment. Despite this, the hospital withheld the burial permit, insisting the full bill must be cleared. Why did Otiende sue Westlands General and Specialist Hospital? In his petition, Otiende argued that detaining the body violates public policy, citing health risks and emotional distress. He acknowledged the hospital’s right to recover its dues but maintained that the continued detention denies him the right to lay his wife and child to rest. The court directed Otiende’s legal team to serve the hospital with the application immediately, with a response expected within two days from October 14. The matter will be heard on October 22, 2025.
By Nancy Odindo
