This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
On June 22, 2021, the Kisumu County Government issued a directive that all bodies should not be preserved in mortuaries for more than 48 hours and all burials need to be conducted within 72 hours.
However, this new set of burial rules has become a burden to bereaved families in Kisumu, who are struggling to pay mortuary bills and meet the requirements.
Speaking to Ghetto Radio, Pastor Stephen Owino, who has been affected by the new regulations, expressed his concerns, saying, 'These set burial rules are good yes but to those who have money, sometimes you had a patient hospitalized here in the ward and by bad luck he/she passed on and was brought here.'
He added, 'Let them set the new regulations and say here is the casket, plus the vehicle that will ferry the body. That it will be much easier.'
Another affected family member, Vincent Adero, stated that the county should at least help by waiving off the mortuary bills, saying, 'Here they cannot wave the bills and that's the main problem we have. We are only trying but beating the set time is not easy. Let the county assist us on this as death has no alerts, help us please.'
The new regulations have also eroded the cultural practices of the Luo community, who traditionally take the body home and spend time with it before burial.
