REVEALED: The Cost Of Repatriating Bodies of Kenyans From The Dubai Fire
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has provided an update on the three Kenyans who died in a fire at an apartment building in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on April 13.
A fire broke out at a high-rise building on Sunday morning on Bukhara Street in Al Nahda, #sharjah . Eyewitnesses told Khaleej Times that they first noticed plume of smoke and flames coming from the building at around 11am. #UAE https://t.co/IFdgot1DnO pic.twitter.com/1UHLM0xgmO
— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) April 13, 2025
According to the quote Sonko received, bringing each body back to Kenya could cost around Ksh200,000.
In a video posted on Tuesday, April 22, Sonko displayed a screen recording of an email from a manager of a major airline in Dubai describing the expenses and criteria for carrying the remains back to Kenya.
“Kindly find the rate of humanitarian (HUM) from Dubai to Nairobi (DXB – NBO) and the requirements needed to forward,” the manager wrote.
“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.”
Sonko stated that he intends to negotiate a lower price and notify the public after he receives complete approval from UAE officials and the Kenyan Embassy.
LATEST UPDATE ON 3 KENYANS WHO DIED IN FIRE A APARTMENT IN SHARJA, DUBAI. pic.twitter.com/yvvZ4mxRnC
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) April 22, 2025
In the email, the manager also said that the Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA) local handling charges are AED 1,000, which is roughly Ksh35,295 per cargo.
According to the manager, consent must first come from Kenya before the procedure can commence.
“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 the documents that must be prepared prior to repatriation.
This comprised the deceased’s passport, death certificate, police clearance, embalming certificate, and an 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.”
READ MORE:
- 3 Suspected Abductors Arrested, Detained In Murang’a
- Gov’t To Close Down Kameme, 23 Stations For Violating New Regulations
- Cheluget Family Confirms Being In Talks With Gov’t Over Disputed Land
- ‘I am Not A UDA Project!’ – MP Salasya Says
- Sakaja’s Nairobi County Evicts Woodley Tenants Over Unpaid Arrears
“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 revealed that Kenyans died on April 16, and stated that the government was aware of and involved in the situation.
“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.
REVEALED: The Cost Of Repatriating Bodies of Kenyans From The Dubai Fire
