Kirinyaga Women Representative Jane Njeri Maina has introduced a bill in parliament seeking to outlaw the detention of deceased bodies by hospitals due to unpaid medical bills.
The proposed law by the Health Amendment Bill, Bill no.56 of 2024, was read for the first time in the National Assembly on Wednesday ,4th June 2025.
In a statement she posted on her official X account ,Njeri Maina confirmed the progress of the bill stating: “The Health Amendment Bill, Bill No.56 of 2024,has finally been read for the first time .”
“As the sponsor of the bill, I’m seeking to criminalize the detention of dead bodies by hospitals due to non payment of accrued medical bills in instances where the families are unable to pay,”she added.
If passed, the legislation will make it a criminal offense for medical institution to withhold the bodies of deceased patients over financial disputes, ensuring dignity for he deceased and their families.
