UrgentConsular protection
Repatriation of nationals & remains
Assistance returning stranded Kenyans home and repatriating the remains of the deceased.
Service standard: Coordinated case by caseLast updated: May 2026Available in: EN · SW
Who this is for
Families arranging to bring home the remains of a Kenyan who has died abroad, and Kenyans who are stranded overseas and unable to fund or arrange their own return.
The mission coordinates the paperwork and clearances and liaises with local authorities, hospitals and funeral services. Costs are usually met by the family or estate.
Repatriation of remains requires several clearances and can take time. Start the process with your mission as early as possible and keep all medical and police documents.
At a glance
- Who can apply
- The next of kin or an authorised representative for repatriation of remains; the affected citizen for return of a stranded national.
- What to bring
- The deceased's passport and death certificate plus medical and police reports; or, for a stranded national, proof of citizenship and the circumstances of the case.
- Cost
- Documents required. Repatriation costs are normally borne by the family or estate; the mission coordinates but does not generally fund the transfer.
- How long it takes
- Case by case, depending on local clearances, post-mortem requirements and airline arrangements.
- Where
- Coordinated by your mission with local authorities and service providers.
What happens after you apply
The step most sites skip - so you know what to expect and don't need to call.
- Notify your mission and provide the identity and case documents.
- The mission confirms the facts and the required local clearances.
- Documentation, transport and, for remains, mortuary and airline arrangements are coordinated.
- Travel home is finalised and the family is supported through arrival.
If something goes wrong, or you need help
If you are detained, hospitalised, or in immediate danger, do not wait for the form - call the consular emergency line. For questions about an application already submitted, contact the mission directly.
One template, every missionThis page runs on a single service spine - who it's for, what to bring, cost, time, where, what happens next. Nairobi and all 60+ missions fill the same fields with their local facts (fee, address, hours, emergency number). Fix the spine once and every mission improves; only the local data changes.