What to do if someone dies in Kenya

Safari Deaths: Getting to Nairobi First

Kenya’s safari industry is the defining context for British deaths in the country. The Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu, and the Laikipia plateau attract thousands of British visitors each year. Deaths in these locations — whether from natural causes, a vehicle incident, or occasionally a wildlife event — all share one characteristic: the death occurred far from Nairobi, and Nairobi is where everything must happen.

For deaths in the Masai Mara, the first challenge is internal transport. There are small bush airstrips across the reserve, and light aircraft charter is the fastest route to Nairobi Wilson Airport. Charter availability depends on weather, time of day, and the specific reserve. Road transport is an alternative but adds many hours. All of this happens before any documentation can begin.

Nairobi Is the Processing Hub for Everything

All documentation, all IATA-specification coffin sourcing, and all international cargo flights depart from Nairobi. There are no alternative routes. The British High Commission is in Nairobi. The pathologists capable of post-mortem examinations meeting international standards are in Nairobi. IATA-spec zinc-lined coffins are available in Nairobi; outside the capital, availability is limited.

For deaths in Mombasa and the coastal resort area, the transport to Nairobi step still applies for international repatriation, though some documentation can begin locally.

Port Health Clearance: An Additional Step

Kenya requires Port Health clearance — a freedom from infection certificate — before a body can be released for international transport. This is an additional bureaucratic step not required in many European destinations. Processing time in Nairobi is typically two to five days. Outside Nairobi, it can take longer. Your repatriation coordinator should factor this into the timeline from the outset.

Police clearance is also required for all deaths. For natural deaths in hospital, this is straightforward. For deaths in the field, on safari, or in any circumstances involving an accident, police attendance and documentation adds time before any other step can begin.

Kenya Airways and British Airways: Good Connectivity From Nairobi

Once all Kenyan documentation is complete, repatriation logistics from Nairobi are among the better-connected of any African destination. Kenya Airways and British Airways both operate direct Nairobi-London routes, providing reliable cargo capacity. The 14-28 day timeline reflects the documentation and internal transport complexity, not the final airfreight step, which is efficient.

Sources: FCDO Kenya guidance (updated October 2025); British High Commission Nairobi guidance; Kenya National Bureau of Statistics death registration procedures.