Laikipia family appeals for help to repatriate body of kin who died in Saudi Arabia

The family says they learnt of the death of Josephine Ekai Kona, aged 31, through social media, after reports emerged that she had succumbed to a short illness nearly two weeks earlier.

The news triggered frantic efforts by relatives to trace her remains and initiate arrangements to have her body flown back to Kenya for burial.

Ekai had travelled to Saudi Arabia in early 2021 to work as a domestic worker and had not returned home since.

According to her brother, Peter Ekaale, the family was shocked by the manner in which they received the news of her death, describing the experience as distressing and confusing.

Speaking at their home in Karuau village, Ekaale said the family is struggling to navigate the process of repatriating her body due to the high logistical costs involved, including air transport and documentation.

Her mother, Mary Alotoo, said Ekai, like many young Kenyans, left the country in search of better opportunities abroad, hoping to support her family. “She went to look for greener pastures, but never came back alive,” she said.

The family says efforts to seek official intervention have so far yielded no results. Ekai’s cousin, Peter Akaale, noted that they had written to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs requesting assistance to facilitate the repatriation, but are yet to receive a response.

Akaale added that the uncertainty surrounding the return of the body has disrupted burial arrangements, with mourners who had been visiting the home gradually leaving after realising the financial and logistical hurdles involved.

Family and friends say they are yet to come to terms with the loss, expressing fear that Ekai may end up being buried in a foreign country if no help is forthcoming. They are now urging the government and well-wishers to intervene and help them accord her a dignified burial back home.