The Lamu government will spend Sh50 million to put up a modern and spacious mortuary in Mpeketoni town this year.
There has been a long term challenge concerning preservation of bodies at the Mpeketoni Sub-district Hospital due to the congestion at the facility and poor infrastructure.
Speaking to the Star on Monday, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said the mortuary will ease congestion at the hospital.
The Mpeketoni mortuary only has the capacity to accommodate five bodies.
Reports however indicate that the facility also lacks proper preservation machinery, something that has resulted in the quick
decaying of bodies
at the facility.
Residents living around the facility have also reportedly complained of a pungent smell that emanates from the facility.
Timamy said the new facility will have the capacity to hold more than 30 bodies.
He said the money would be obtained from the Sh200 million promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta to improve healthcare in the region.
In 2013, when the President toured Pate Island, he promised to release Sh200 million to help improve public hospitals in the county.
“We are expecting the money very soon so that we can start the facelift of our health facilities,
including the mortuary. We will also use the funds to improve the conditions of the Lamu District Hospital and Faza Hospital,” he said.
In all of Lamu, only the Mpeketoni Hospital has a mortuary, which can only hold five bodies at a time.
This has forced the non-Muslim community in the county to quickly bury their relatives before the bodies decay.