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Heart and Soul: Facing death in Kenya

Facing death in Kenya

12/01/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, Facing death in Kenya

Defying taboos to ease the passing of those with terminal illness in Kenya

In Kenya, speaking of death before it happens is taboo, but a group of Christians have made its their life’s work to help ease the passing of those with terminal illness.

In Kenya, palliative care - which involves end of life care for terminally ill patients - is often treated with suspicion. There's a deep taboo around speaking about the death of a person before it happens, which is thought to be like welcoming it. Some feel that taking up end of life care indicates that you've lost faith in the power of a healing God to cure your illness.  

But serious and complex illnesses like cancer are becoming more common in Kenya, and end of life care is a much-needed service for people facing death. In Eldoret, Western Kenya, a group of Christians have made it their life's work to defy the stigma, and to help those with terminal illnesses find peace in their final days.  

Kimbilio Hospice, run by a Christian charity called Living Room International, was established by Pastor David Tarus over a decade ago. The hospice provides specialist medical care to ease symptoms at the very end of a patient’s life, but often they first have to convince patients' families that it's OK to accept the facility's help. BBC Africa reporter Esther Ogola visited the hospice to see what exactly that entails.

Presenter: Esther Ogola
Producer: Mary Goodhart / Esther Ogola
Series Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Helen Grady
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno

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