Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital (VTRH) has released a list of five unidentified bodies currently held in its mortuary, calling on members of the public to assist in identifying the deceased and tracing their relatives.
The hospital's Corporate Communications and Public Relations department published the list on Monday, September 14, 2026, as part of efforts to support identification and enable appropriate follow-up with police stations and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Bodies Listed in VTRH Mortuary
According to the hospital records, the unidentified bodies include:
1. Unknown Male Adult
Date of arrival: August 23, 2023
Place found: Kilingili
Brought by: Peter OCS
Police station: Kilingili Police Station
Condition: Bad
2. Unknown Child
Date of arrival: May 6, 2025
Place found: Sabatia
Brought by: DCI
Police station: Sabatia Police Station
Condition: Bad
3. Rosa Daud (Female)
Date of arrival: August 21, 2025
Place found: VCRH Casualty
Transferred from: Serem Hospital
Condition: Bad
4.
Date of arrival: October 27, 2025
Place found: Kilingili
Brought by: Peter OCS
Police station: Kilingili Police Station
Condition: Bad
5. Known Male Child (Age 2 Years)
Date of arrival: November 8, 2025
Reference number: BID02768
Brought by: DCI
Police station: Serem Police Station
Condition: Bad
Purpose of Publication
The hospital stated that the purpose of publishing the list is to bring the matter to public attention and facilitate appropriate follow-up with relevant police stations, the DCI and other responsible authorities.
The information is intended to support identification efforts, tracing of relatives and any further action as provided for under applicable procedures governing unclaimed and unidentified bodies.
Why Bodies Remain Unidentified
Bodies may remain unidentified for various reasons, including advanced decomposition, lack of identification documents, or circumstances where the deceased was found in isolated areas without witnesses.
In some cases, families may not be aware that their missing relative's body has been recovered and is being held in a mortuary.
- Advanced decomposition makes visual identification difficult.
- Lack of identification documents on the deceased.
- Bodies found in isolated areas without witnesses.
- Families may not know their missing relative has been recovered.
Procedure for Unidentified Bodies in Kenya
When unidentified bodies are brought to hospital mortuaries in Kenya, police typically document the circumstances of discovery and attempt to trace relatives through local inquiries and media appeals.
If bodies remain unclaimed after a specified notice period, hospitals and county authorities may seek court orders for burial while preserving DNA samples for potential future identification.
Nairobi County, for example, recently issued a seven-day notice for 59 unclaimed bodies and is using technology to help identify 473 unclaimed remains at the city funeral home.
How the Public Can Help
Members of the public who may have information about any of the listed bodies are encouraged to contact the relevant authorities and report any information about missing persons who may match the descriptions.
- Contact the relevant police stations (Kilingili, Sabatia or Serem).
- Reach out to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
- Contact VTRH's Corporate Communications and Public Relations department.
- Report any information about missing persons who may match the descriptions.
Families who believe a missing relative may be among the listed bodies should come forward with any identifying information, including physical descriptions, clothing, or circumstances of disappearance.
Recent Similar Appeals
The VTRH appeal follows similar efforts in other parts of Kenya. In August 2026, Nairobi City County issued notices for unclaimed bodies at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Funeral Home.
Next Steps
The hospital indicated that the published list would support further action by police and investigative authorities to trace relatives and complete identification processes.
For families in Vihiga County and surrounding areas who have reported missing persons, the publication offers an opportunity to check whether their loved ones may be among the unidentified remains.
Anyone with information is urged to come forward promptly to assist with the identification process and enable appropriate arrangements for the deceased.