Family to bury kin after hospital agrees to payment plan

A family in Nyeri is set to bury their kin after a hospital in Nairobi agreed to a payment plan to settle an outstanding Sh7.3 million bill.

 The family had previously claimed that Metropolitan Hospital refused to release the body of their relative until the debt was cleared.

Kaz Theuri, deceased's son said the family was not offered any assistance during the process.

“The finance department never provided any form of payment plan nor support in counselling or other forms of assistance,” he said.

Titus Gatuthu Theuri, 82, from Borehamwood, UK, was admitted to Metropolitan Hospital on 29 August 2024 after falling ill while visiting Nairobi.

He spent two months in intensive care battling septic pneumonia before passing away on 24 October 2024.

Metropolitan Hospital addressed the situation, clarifying that it does not retain burial permits as a method of debt collection.

“We prioritise dialogue and mutual agreement with families during such sensitive times,” said Fiona Malonza, a lawyer representing the hospital.

“We regret any distress caused by this situation and remain open to further engagement with the family.”

The hospital stated it had offered a payment plan to assist the family in managing the outstanding bill.

“The family remains in arrears, but we have extended a payment plan to ease the financial burden on them,” Malonza said.

Family’s lawyer, Rasugu Kinara, confirmed that a significant portion of the bill had been paid, including Sh5.7 million and title deeds provided to the hospital.

The family has agreed to pay Sh200,000 per month to settle the remaining Sh2 million.

Theuri confirmed the burial is now set to take place in Nyeri on Friday, January 17.