Families seeking mortuary services in Bungoma County are set to get relief following the opening of a new mortuary facility aimed at easing congestion at the Bungoma County Referral Hospital mortuary.
The development comes days after the Senate Committee on Health raised alarm over severe overcrowding at the county referral hospital morgue. The committee, chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, noted that the facility—designed to hold a maximum of 20 bodies—was accommodating about 50 bodies.
“This is totally unacceptable,” Mandago said. “A mortuary meant for 20 bodies is currently accommodating more than double its capacity. This raises serious questions about management, planning, and the wellbeing of Bungoma residents.”
New facility launched in Ndengelwa
The newly launched Delights Funeral Home mortuary, located at Ndengelwa in Bungoma County, is expected to significantly reduce pressure on public mortuary services.
Speaking during the official opening, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Bishop George Mechumo commended the directors of Delights Funeral Home for choosing to invest in Bungoma.
The bishop revealed that the project initially faced resistance from sections of the local community before gaining acceptance.
“In the beginning, this project faced rejection, but after people understood its importance, they embraced it. Today, I can see everyone happy to be associated with it,” Bishop Mechumo said.
He noted that facilities such as modern mortuaries play a key role in economic growth and job creation.
“Developed cities like Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kisumu have grown because of such projects. This investment will help Bungoma rise,” he added.
‘Bringing light in difficult moments’
Mary Harrison of Delights Funeral Home thanked Bungoma residents for their cooperation during the establishment of the facility, noting that support from the community and the funeral home’s directors made the project possible.
She said the new mortuary will be a game changer in the region by easing pressure on existing facilities while offering dignified, reliable, and affordable mortuary services.
“Delights means Nuru—to bring light and hope during difficult moments when families lose their loved ones. That is our calling,” Harrison said, emphasizing that the deceased deserve a dignified send-off.
She added that the facility seeks to change negative perceptions around mortuaries.
“We want to end the narrative that mortuaries must be unpleasant places,” she said.
‘Dignity with distinction’
Harrison Muchiri, a director at Delights Funeral Home, said the facility operates under the guiding theme ‘dignity with distinction’.
“Our work goes beyond preserving bodies. We are here to offer comfort, solace, and emotional support to grieving families as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest,” Muchiri said.
He added that the mortuary will uphold high professional standards to ensure every family is treated with respect and care.
Muchiri noted that the new mortuary has a capacity of 50 bodies, a move expected to significantly reduce congestion at public facilities in the county.
