Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has given an update on the three Kenyans who tragically passed away in an inferno at an apartment building in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on April 13, stating that it might cost around Ksh200,000 to bring each body back to Kenya, according to the quotation he received.
In a video shared on Tuesday, April 22, Sonko showed a screen recording of an email from a manager from the leading airline in Dubai explaining the costs and requirements involved in transporting the bodies back to Kenya.
"Kindly find the rate of humanitarian (HUM) from Dubai to Nairobi (DXB - NBO) and the requirements needed to forward. Kindly note that the rate will be the discounted rate of AED 37.45/kg (Ksh1,322) plus (FSC AED 3.20 & AED 0.40), which is 140 per cent of the International Airline Travel Agent Network (IATA N) rate for the subject HUM shipment from DXB to Nairobi for Kenyan nationality,” the manager wrote.
Sonko said he hopes to negotiate for a lower price and will continue updating the public once he gets full clearance from the UAE authorities and the Kenyan Embassy.
In the email, the manager also mentioned that the Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA) local handling charges are AED 1,000, which is approximately Ksh35,295 per shipment.
According to the manager, the approval must first come from the Kenyan end before the process can begin.
“Ok to forward confirmation; must obtain it from the destination port. Handover at Dubai National Air Travel Agency (Dnata FG5 ) special handling storage,” he mentioned.
He outlined a list of documents that must be prepared before repatriation, including the passport of the deceased, death certificate, police clearance, embalming certificate and embassy or consulate certificate.
“The body must be prepared by the government funeral home. All necessary documents have to be sent to us earlier for the port health to be okay for forwarding. Passport of the deceased (Cancelled), Original + 7 copies."
"The death certificate, original + 7 copies; police clearance, original + 7 copies; embassy or consulate certificate, original + 7 copies; embalming certificate, original + 7 copies,” the email states.
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu also confirmed Kenyans succumbed on April 16, stating that the government was aware and involved in the matter.
"I regret to inform you that 3 Kenyans are among 5 casualties that passed on following an inferno that occurred in Sharjah, UAE, on Sunday."
"My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased diaspora. We stand with you to offer support during this difficult time," she stated.
