Behind the quiet doors of Nairobi funeral homes are workers who handle death with care, dignity and deep respect.
At the Kenyatta Memorial Funeral Home, mortuary attendants say their work is not like any other job.
One attendant summed it up by saying, "This is a task that you can't wake up and say, 'God, give me clients today.'"
Journalist Elizabeth Aino spent a day with morticians at the facility to understand what happens once a body is received.
From the moment a body arrives, it is logged, documented and carefully prepared for identification by family members.
The next of kin are guided through required steps as records are processed.
Morticians then begin preservation work while following strict health rules to protect themselves and others.
The process helps slow natural changes and allows families time to plan burial rites.
Before a body is placed in a coffin, attendants work to restore a calm and natural look so loved ones can say goodbye in peace.
Rahab, a mortician with eight years of experience, said many people once doubted her career choice and warned her about fear and spirits.
She explained that the work demands courage, patience and creativity, especially in difficult cases.
She added that she does not celebrate death and prefers not to think about her own.
Another mortician, Batista, said he joined the profession after losing his mother in 2014.
He wanted to ensure others are treated with more care and dignity in their final moments.
As Nairobi grows and mortality cases rise, these quiet workers remain committed to offering comfort, respect and order at the most painful time for families.
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