This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
Kenya: Collymore's Modest Send-Off Raises Questions on Funeral Costs ¶
On Thursday, Kenyans mourned the passing of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, a man who left behind a legacy of innovation and transformation in the region. His modest send-off has sparked questions about the high cost of funerals in Kenya.
Collymore's family chose a cremation over a grand funeral, which could have cost tens of millions of shillings. The family paid Sh5,000 for the transportation of his body from his house in Kitisuru estate to the Lee Funeral Home on Argwings Kodhek Road. The daily cost for keeping a body at the morgue is Sh3,000.
The cheapest coffin at the Lee Funeral Home costs Sh35,000, while the most expensive one is Sh130,000. Collymore's family chose the Sh65,000 coffin. The handling of the body, including washing and dressing, costs Sh5,000. The vehicle that ferried the body to Kariakor crematorium, a Jaguar that carries two people, cost the family Sh130,000.
According to the Lee Funeral Home, the total cost for the entire package, including the urn to keep the ashes, would have been approximately Sh280,000. This is significantly lower than the cost of most funerals in Kenya, which often require families to hold fundraisers to offset the expenses.
Death is indeed not cheap in Kenya, as evident from the numerous fundraisers held daily across the country. Two weeks ago, Kenyans on Twitter recounted how they had to resort to using public service vehicles to transport the dead to the mortuary or places of burial due to the high cost.
Constable John Mark Mwanzia of Muthaiga Police Station, who is attached to the City Mortuary, says transporting bodies in PSVs like matatus, buses, or taxis is against the law. He advises families to report the death to the police, who will take the body to the preferred mortuary and provide a letter authorising the family to hire a hearse.
