- A family in Matisi area, Kitale, mourns during Eid al-Fitr as Top Hill Hospital withholds the body of their father due to a debt of KSh 2.7 million
- Relatives say the Social Health Authority (SHA) paid part of the cost, but the hospital insists the balance must be paid before the body is released.
- The children have asked for help from leaders and good Samaritans, asking the hospital to reduce or cancel part of the debt
While Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim family in the Matisi slum in Kitale County Trans Nzoia County drowned in mourning.
Source: UGC
This is because the body of their father, Ngeiywo Ibrahim Kiprop, who died on February 24, has not been buried due to the huge hospital bill.
Ibrahim, a father of two, fell ill in November 2025, was treated at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, then transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and later admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Top Hill Hospital on 20 November 2025
He stayed in the ICU for two months and sadly passed away on February 24, 2026
Even after his death, his body has not been buried because the management of Top Hill Hospital has blocked it until the family pays the bill of KSh 2.7 million collected
In an interview, Omar Abdalla Maruti, son of the deceased, said that the Social Health Authority (SHA) paid KSh 606,480
Abdalla added that Top Hill Hospital management said they will release the body after the remaining balance of more than KSh 2.7 million is paid
“According to Islamic traditions, a Muslim should be buried within 24 hours after death. We have been mourning our father for almost a month and we cannot find peace because of this huge debt,” said Abdalla
On her part, Shamim Hassan, the daughter of the deceased, pleaded with strong feelings to the elected officials in Trans Nzoia County as well as good samaritans to help pay the hospital bill
“Even if we sell all our possessions, we cannot get 2.7 million shillings to exhume our father’s body. That is why we are asking for financial help from leaders and well-intentioned people so that we can bring his body back home and give him a dignified burial,” said Shamim.
His words were supported by Salim Sifuna and Jane Wanyonyi, who asked the management of Top Hill Hospital to consider canceling part of the debt.
“We have seen cases where the hospital cancels all or part of the bill of the deceased. We ask Top Hill to help us by canceling part of Ngeiywo’s debt,” said Mama Wanyonyi
They said that unlike previous years when Ibrahim used to slaughter goats and share the meat with the neighbors, this year the neighbors have nothing to celebrate.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Known as the “Feast of Breaking the Fast,” Eid al-Fitr is celebrated worldwide by Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan.
This festival begins with prayers and later family and social gatherings.
It is known for feasts and acts of charity known as Zakat al-Fitr, where celebrants volunteer to help the needy.
After Eid al-Fitr follows Eid al-Adha, known as the “Feast of Slaughter”
This is one of the two major Islamic holidays celebrated every year in the world
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijja, the last month in the Islamic calendar, and continues for three more days.
This holiday commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as a sacrifice in obedience to God.
As with Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha also coincides with a national holiday.
In Kenya, the authority to declare public holidays rests with the Minister of Home Affairs and National Government Coordination, as stipulated under the Public Holidays Act.
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