Outcry in Kakamega as Noisy Mortuary Trolley Sparks Fear Among Hospital Patients

Patients and residents in Kakamega County Referral Hospital have raised concerns over a disturbing issue inside the facility— the loud and unsettling noise made by a trolley used to transport deceased bodies.

According to multiple witnesses, the trolley produces a harsh, jarring sound as it moves through hospital wards, often startling patients and creating an atmosphere of fear. For many, the noise has become synonymous with death.

“Whenever that sound echoes through the corridors, everyone knows what it means,” said one resident. “Patients become anxious, and some even lose hope, thinking they might be next.”

Families of patients say the situation has psychological effects on those already battling illness. The sudden noise reportedly triggers panic, especially among vulnerable patients, undermining their morale and recovery.

Residents are now urging the Kakamega County government to intervene and introduce a quieter, more discreet method of transporting bodies—one that respects both the deceased and the emotional well-being of patients.

In a particularly emotional account, a grieving mother recounted her distress after losing her child at the facility. She criticized the hospital for using an adult-sized trolley to carry her child’s body, calling the experience deeply upsetting. She has appealed for the provision of specialized pediatric trolleys to handle such sensitive cases.

Mental health advocates warn that repeated exposure to such distressing stimuli in healthcare settings can contribute to trauma, especially among patients already in fragile conditions.

As public pressure grows, residents hope that authorities will act swiftly to address the issue and restore a sense of dignity and calm within the hospital environment.