BY MACHARIA WANGUI
Three petitioners in Nyandarua County have called for the abolition of postmortem and mortuary fees for victims of rape and murder, arguing that grieving families should not be forced to pay for justice.
Appearing before a joint committee of Finance and Health at the Nyandarua County Assembly, the trio led by human rights defender Betty Muchina alongside Annclaire Njeri and Nyambura Kuria urged the county government to fully waive the charges in all public health facilities.
They told MCAs that families affected by such deaths are often left dealing with trauma, grief, and financial distress, with many unable to meet the costs associated with postmortems and mortuary services.
“When a family loses a loved one in such a manner, they are already in pain. Many come from humble backgrounds and cannot afford these additional costs,” Muchina told the committee.
The session was chaired by Nyakio MCA Zachary Njeru, who heads the Finance Committee, alongside Kipipiri MCA Paul Ngeche, chairman of the Health Committee.
The petitioners argued that postmortems in rape and murder cases are not a private service, but a critical public function that supports criminal investigations and the justice system.
“These examinations are conducted to generate forensic evidence for police investigations. It is not a service for the family—it is for justice,” they said.
They want the Nyandarua County Government to allocate funds in its budget to cover all postmortem and mortuary costs linked to such cases.
According to Muchina, the financial burden on the county would be minimal due to the relatively low number of cases, but the impact on affected families would be profound.
“The cost to the county is small, but the social impact is huge—protecting vulnerable families and supporting access to justice,” she said.
Currently, families in Nyandarua pay Sh5,000 for a postmortem. Mortuary fees stand at Sh2,000 for the first five days and Sh500 for each additional day. Refrigeration costs Sh700 per day, embalming Sh1,500, and body preparation Sh500—costs that can quickly escalate for grieving families.
The petition comes against the backdrop of rising concern over femicide and rape-related killings in the county. At least nine such cases have been reported in Nyandarua over the past nine years.
One of the most recent cases is that of Maureen, a Grade Five pupil from Mugumo in Rurii Ward, who was raped and murdered in a brutal attack.
At the time of her killing, her mother was admitted at JM Hospital’s maternity wing, having just delivered twins. The family was left struggling to meet hospital bills for the newborns, alongside postmortem, mortuary, and burial expenses for Maureen.
It was this case, Muchina said, that exposed the harsh financial reality faced by victims’ families and inspired the petition.
“When Maureen’s mother came to us seeking help, it became clear that something had to change,” she said.
The petition now places pressure on the county assembly to consider whether the cost of justice in such cases should continue to fall on already devastated families—or be absorbed as a public responsibility.
