A family from Lugari, Kakamega County, faced a heartbreaking predicament when their 17-year-old son’s body was withheld at a private hospital morgue due to an unpaid medical bill surpassing KSh 700,000.
Eugene Olutira, a student at Mautuma Boys Senior School residing in Jerusalem Village, Mbagara Sub-Location, developed severe symptoms linked to malaria complications. His condition deteriorated, leading to his transfer to Rapha Hospital in Eldoret, where he passed away in early July.
Following his death, the family was unable to settle the accumulating hospital charges. Despite organising three fundraising events, they managed to raise only about KSh 114,000, leaving a significant deficit of over KSh 580,000.
George Wekesa, Eugene’s father, revealed that appeals to local leaders yielded limited assistance. With no other options available, the family decided to pledge the title deed to their ancestral land as collateral to secure the release of Eugene’s body.
The hospital accepted this arrangement, and Eugene’s body was finally released on August 11, allowing the family to proceed with funeral preparations. The burial was scheduled for August 12, providing the family with a chance to bid farewell with dignity after weeks of distress.
