Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, has called for coffin shops operating at the entrances of hospitals to be relocated, saying their presence could emotionally distress patients.
In a statement shared on social media on December 2, 2025, Mosiria posted a video of his conversation with coffin makers and appealed for what he described as a “sensitive but necessary” adjustment.
“My humble request is this: let us keep coffin shops away from the main entrances of hospitals or directly opposite them,” he said.
Mosiria argued that patients battling serious illnesses may lose hope when they encounter coffins as they walk into medical facilities.
“Patients who are in critical condition may see them and immediately panic or lose hope of recovering,” he noted.
Despite his concerns about their location, Mosiria was quick to defend the dignity of the profession, saying coffin makers provide an essential service often misunderstood by the public.
“These men and women are doing God’s work with dignity, love, and deep respect for the departed. Many people judge them unfairly, yet to me, they are God-sent,” he said.
He added that coffin sellers offer invaluable emotional support to grieving families, standing with them through some of their most difficult moments.
“They walk with families during their most painful moments, and for that, they deserve our appreciation,” Mosiria stated.
Coffin businesses remain an important part of Kenya’s growing funeral industry, which spans small workshops, specialized funeral homes, and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
Mosiria says his proposal is not meant to disrupt livelihoods but to balance the needs of the business with the emotional wellbeing of patients and their families.
