A family in Viena, Bombolulu, Nyali Sub-county has finally laid their one-month-old child to rest after more than two months of being unable to clear mortuary bills.
The body of baby Gift Mohamed had been held at the Coast General Hospital Mortuary since June, until the Elkana Jacob Foundation stepped in to settle the costs.
Gift, who was born with hydrocephalus at Mariakani Hospital, was later transferred to Kilifi Hospital before being referred to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. He underwent two surgeries but died a week later.
Living in a modest mud-thatched house, the child’s 57-year-old grandmother Kahaso Kadenge Ngumbao broke down in tears after the burial, thanking the foundation for restoring dignity to the family.
“This has never happened in our society; it is a miracle. We thank God and may He bless Elkana Jacob and the foundation. The body had overstayed in the mortuary for more than two months,” she said.
Her daughter, Nuru Salim Kalume, also expressed gratitude, saying the support came at a time when the family had lost hope.
The foundation, founded and funded by former journalist and politician Elkana Jacob, mobilized resources to ensure the infant was buried according to Islamic traditions.
Speaking on a local radio station, Jacob said the case reflected deeper gaps in social welfare and urged leaders to prioritize policies that protect vulnerable families.
“I call upon Nyali residents to embrace one another with love, especially during these hard economic times,” he said.
Residents described the gesture as compassionate and urged other leaders and organizations to emulate it, saying such acts restore dignity and strengthen community unity.
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