Loss is never easy. In those first moments, families must make quick and emotional decisions. They need to preserve the body of a loved one while also planning a respectful farewell. In many parts of Kenya, private mortuary services help ease this burden by offering flexible and reliable options. In Kajiado County, however, that choice is still limited, and it continues to shape how families experience loss.
In towns like Ngong, Kiserian, Ong’ata Rongai, Kitengela and Kajiado town, private mortuary services are still hard to find. There are no private morgues or private hospitals with full mortuary facilities in the county. Because of this, most residents rely on public hospitals. These facilities do their best, but they often struggle to keep up with demand.
At Kajiado Referral Hospital, the mortuary can hold about 24 bodies. Smaller hospitals in Kitengela, Ong’ata Rongai and Ngong each hold around 12. In Kajiado South, one mortuary in Loitokitok serves a large area. While these services are important, they are not enough for a fast-growing population. Kajiado’s population has grown quickly over the years. It passed 1.1 million in 2019 and continues to rise. With more people moving into the Nairobi metropolitan area, the need for better health and funeral services has increased. Unfortunately, the growth of these services has been slower than the demand.
Rising Costs and Expanding Demand
Because space is limited, many families have no choice but to take their loved ones outside the county. They travel to places like Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos or Makueni. This can mean long distances and extra costs at a very difficult time.
Today, mortuary services are also a business. Public facilities charge daily storage fees, along with embalming and preparation costs. Private mortuaries offer more services, but at higher prices. Families may also pay for washing, dressing, viewing and even chapel services. Some hospitals work with funeral homes to move bodies when they lack proper facilities. While this helps, it adds more steps and more expenses. Still, many families accept these costs because they want to give their loved ones a dignified send-off.
Tradition, Belief and Investment Barriers
Culture also plays a big role in Kajiado. The Maa community has long held strong beliefs about death. In the past, burial was not common. Bodies were left in the open, and only respected elders were buried. These traditions made many people uncomfortable with the idea of mortuaries or making money from death. Because of this, early attempts to build morgues often faced resistance. Some investors struggled to get community support or land for such projects. But things are slowly changing. Urban life, education and religion have influenced new ways of thinking. More people now accept modern burial practices. The growth of coffin businesses in towns shows this shift.
There have also been improvements. New funeral homes in Ngong and Ong’ata Rongai show that demand is rising. The county government is also working to improve public mortuaries. Experts believe the growing population creates a strong case for private investment. With proper planning and respect for local culture, modern funeral services can meet the needs of residents. In Kajiado, attitudes are changing. Families want services that are respectful, affordable and close to home. Meeting this need will require more than buildings. It will take understanding, planning and respect for both tradition and change.
