A family from Munge village in Mbagara Sub-location, Mautuma Ward, Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County, is appealing to well-wishers for financial assistance to help settle a massive hospital bill and secure the release of their son’s body, which has remained at a private hospital in Eldoret for nearly two weeks.
The family is mourning the death of Eugene Barasa, a 17-year-old student at Mautuma Boys High School, whose body has been held at the Rescourse Hospital mortuary due to an unpaid medical bill at Rapha Hospital, Eldoret, amounting to KSh 699,250.
According to Eugene’s father, George Wekesa Barasa, the family has exhausted all available resources in a desperate bid to raise the money needed to clear the bill and give their son a dignified send-off.
Speaking to Western Kenya Times, Barasa said the family held a fundraising event on Sunday, July 19, 2026, which raised KSh 130,000. However, the amount fell far short of what is required, with the overall funeral budget expected to exceed KSh 800,000.
“To be honest, as a family we are overwhelmed. Apart from the hospital bill, preserving the body at Re-Source Hospital costs KSh 1,000 per day. We have tried everything we can, but we are still unable to raise enough money. Even the funds we collected during the harambee are being used to meet other urgent family needs at home,” Barasa said, struggling to hold back tears.
“We are appealing to Kenyans and the Ministry of Health to help us so that we can give our beloved son a dignified burial.”
Another family member, Nelly Waweru, echoed the appeal, urging compassionate Kenyans to stand with the family during their time of grief by helping them raise the remaining balance required to clear the hospital bill.
The family has organized another fundraising drive scheduled for Sunday, July 26, 2026, hoping it will generate enough support to facilitate the release of Eugene’s body from the hospital mortuary.
Those wishing to support the family can send their contributions through:
George Wekesa Barasa (Father)
M-Pesa/Phone: 0721 759 785
Family alleges negligence at Kakamega County Referral Hospital
As the family continues to grapple with the financial burden, they have also accused Kakamega County Referral Hospital of negligence, alleging that delays in providing emergency medical care contributed to Eugene’s death.
Eugene’s mother, Edith Khayanga, told Western Kenya Times that her son did not receive timely emergency treatment despite his worsening condition after developing a headache earlier this month.
She further claimed that the family was charged KSh 24,000 for an ambulance transfer to a private hospital in Eldoret, but the ambulance reportedly took a long time to arrive, delaying his referral.
According to the family, the delays significantly worsened Eugene’s condition before he was eventually transferred. He later died while receiving treatment at the private facility.
The family is now calling on the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Eugene’s treatment, even as they plead for urgent financial support to enable them to lay their son to rest with dignity.
