Wamuzi News Ke
A couple in Nakuru is grappling with immense sorrow after their seven-month-old baby’s body vanished from a morgue where it had been stored three days after passing.
Sharon Saidi and her husband, Daniel Kipchirichir, were devastated at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital morgue as they struggled to get clear answers regarding the missing remains for the second day in a row.
Hospital records confirm that baby Mercy Chepng’eno was admitted on February 2, 2025, with severe pneumonia and succumbed the following day.
With the help of sign language interpreters, the grieving parents explained that their child’s body was taken to the hospital morgue, where they completed all required payments.
“We had made all the necessary preparations for the burial at our home in Bomet. On February 6, we arrived at the morgue to collect the body, and the attendants requested that we provide burial clothing and a coffin,” Saidi recounted.
Esther Andanje, a sign language interpreter assisting the couple, shared that they arrived at 10 a.m. and waited as other families collected their loved ones, yet no one attended to them.
“When we inquired, the attendants claimed the body had been removed from storage but was too rigid to be dressed. They asked for an hour, but nothing happened,” Andanje explained.
Winnie Odanga, Kipchirichir’s sister, said that by 1 p.m., after persistent questioning, the staff admitted to a mix-up, revealing they were unable to locate baby Chepng’eno’s remains.
“Around 3 p.m., one of the attendants reacted angrily, demanding to know how we expected him to retrieve a body that had already been declared missing. He then called the police to have us removed,” Odanga said.
She later learned from an insider that there was no mix-up— the body had indeed disappeared, and there was a suspect in mind.
“A staff member secretly disclosed that a colleague, recently transferred from Gilgil, had been involved in a similar case. We were advised to report the matter to the police immediately,” she added.
Saidi and Kipchirichir proceeded to Kaptembwo Police Station in Nakuru West, where they officially filed the report under OB number 70 of February 6, 2025, at approximately 5 p.m.
Hoping for answers, the couple, accompanied by their church members, returned to the hospital that Friday, but instead of relief, they encountered another distressing setback.
“Our baby was taken by illness, and now her body is missing too. We are being told investigations are underway, but how does a body disappear from a morgue?” Kipchirichir asked in anguish.
Wilson Mwangi, a member of the Nakuru county assembly’s health committee, condemned the shocking incident, especially in light of growing concerns over human trafficking and illegal organ trade.
“All official records show that this baby was admitted, treated, and declared deceased at this hospital. A burial permit was issued, yet now there is no body. This is deeply troubling,” Mwangi remarked.
He faulted the hospital for negligence, pointing out that its management had taken no serious steps to find the missing remains.
“The hospital hasn’t even attempted to contact families who recently collected infants’ bodies to verify if they may have received the wrong one. They need to be held accountable,” he added.
Human rights advocate Simon Nasieku vowed that the community would stand with the grieving family in their quest for justice.
“The morgue staff misled and mistreated this couple, exploiting their disability. If the body is not found within 24 hours, we will halt operations here,” Nasieku declared.
He further criticized the hospital’s declining standards, stating that this case was yet another example of the county’s failing healthcare system.
“A doctor recently died under unclear circumstances here. Long delays due to absent staff are routine. And now, a baby’s body has vanished. What’s next?” he questioned.
Nakuru County Executive Committee Member for Health, Roselyn Mungai, acknowledged the case and assured the public that authorities were handling the matter.
“We have informed the DCI, and investigations are already underway. We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice,” Mungai stated.
