The bodies of three Kenyan men who tragically lost their lives in a fire in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, have been repatriated to Kenya.
The remains arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) early Monday morning, in a repatriation effort coordinated by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and his Sonko Rescue Team.
Families and friends gathered at the airport to receive the bodies of Ian Ndung’u Mungai, Kennedy Kamau Wangari, and Benjamin Kioko Ndunda. Their deaths, which occurred in the UAE, triggered an outpouring of grief both among the Kenyan diaspora and back home in Kenya.
The somber ceremony was marked by prayers and heartfelt tributes, with Sonko personally overseeing the repatriation. He stood alongside the grieving families, offering support during the emotional moment.
“This was a painful loss, and I want to thank everyone who joined hands to ensure our brothers were brought back home with dignity,” Sonko said. He also expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the Government of Kenya, the Kenyan Embassy and Consulate in the UAE, Kenya Airways, and the funeral committee in Sharjah, led by Timothy and Hon. Jessica Mbalu, MP for Kibwezi East.
Ahead of the arrival, Sonko had shared a message of solidarity on social media: “We are on our way to JKIA to receive the bodies of our late brothers who died in Sharjah, UAE. May God grant their families strength and comfort during this difficult period.”
The first body to arrive, that of Benjamin Kioko, was taken to Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home after a brief prayer session at the airport.
The three men had been working in the UAE in search of better opportunities. Their tragic deaths have reignited calls for improved safety and welfare measures for Kenyans working abroad.
The bodies will be transported to their respective hometowns for burial as the families prepare to lay their loved ones to rest.
