Sorrow as families search for loved ones at hospitals, mortuaries

Sorrow and grief characterised scenes at Chiromo mortuary and hospitals in Nairobi as Kenyans thronged the facilities to search for their missing loved ones.

On Wednesday morning, several ambulances were spotted arriving at the mortuary from 14 Riverside where an attack had ensued for over 12 hours.

President Uhuru Kenyatta revealed that 14 people were killed in the attack and dozens injured in the siege that has left an array of Kenyans in shock and disbelief.

Families and friends were seen consoling each other as they waited for communication from the relevant authorities on how to trace their kin and for others, when the bodies would be released to them.

One woman broke down and had to be held by those who accompanied her to the Chiromo mortuary after she was overcome by grief upon discovering that her loved one was not in hospital but in the morgue.

A Muslim hearse was also seen getting pulling up at the premises to pick up the bodies for burial on Wednesday.

In the Muslim culture, burial is supposed to take place as soon as possible most of the time within a day or two after death.

Elsewhere at Avenue Hospital, Dr. Boyanu Mugeni confirmed that the facility received a total of 22 victims of the attack since Tuesday evening.

The officer who was addressing the Press said they received six patients on Wednesday, four of whom were admitted and are being closely monitored.

The manager however didn’t reveal the kind of extent of injuries saying it will breach patients’ confidentiality.

She said the institution and the disaster management team have set up a psychological support centre within to help the victims and their families.

Boyani also said they are still appealing for blood donations and those willing should visit their facilities.

Additional report by Erick Omondi