Mudavadi Outlines Ministry’s Protocol for Repatriating Deceased Kenyans Abroad
Mudavadi Outlines Ministry’s Protocol for Repatriating Deceased Kenyans Abroad
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has outlined the comprehensive measures his ministry employs to support Kenyan families who lose loved ones abroad.
In a presentation to the Senate, Mudavadi details the ministry’s protocol and emphasizes the importance of timely communication and psychological support. The ministry’s process begins with prompt notification to the family of their loss. This is achieved through collaboration with employers and recruitment agencies to gather information about the deceased and their next of kin. Following this initial contact, the ministry’s counseling department provides psychological support to family members, assisting them in managing information and preparing for potential travel arrangements.
Mudavadi explains that the ministry also takes steps to establish the migration status of the deceased and coordinates with various stakeholders to ensure proper preservation of the body prior to repatriation. The ministry follows up on any benefits and entitlements due to the deceased from their workplace, in accordance with the host country’s laws. Additionally, they facilitate the acquisition of necessary documentation, including postmortem reports and no-objection certificates for transportation of the body to Kenya.
In cases where the deceased was unemployed or had an irregular immigration status, the embassy liaises with the ministry to inform the family, enabling them to make necessary arrangements for repatriation. Mudavadi acknowledges the limited resources available for government support in such situations. In extreme cases, the ministry mobilizes diaspora communities to raise funds for repatriation expenses. This comprehensive approach underscores the ministry’s commitment to supporting Kenyan families during challenging times.
The significance of these efforts is highlighted by the increasing number of Kenyans employed overseas, with recent statistics indicating over 416,000 Kenyans working abroad, many in Gulf countries. The ministry’s role has become particularly crucial in light of the challenges faced by Kenyan workers in foreign lands. Mudavadi reveals that 316 Kenyans have lost their lives while working in various Gulf countries over the past 12 years, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the highest number of fatalities.
Beyond repatriation, the ministry’s efforts extend to advocating for justice in cases where deaths are under investigation and securing benefits owed to the deceased from their employers.
