Duale proposes ban on repatriating bodies of Ebola victims who die abroad
Health CS Aden Duale has presented the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, to MPs. The rules would ban bringing home the bodies of people who die of Ebola outside Kenya and require burial within 24 hours.
Families could soon lose the right to bring home the body of a relative who dies of Ebola outside Kenya. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale presented the proposed Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, to the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, The Eastleigh Voice reported. According to the Daily Nation, the rules are now before the House. Part 21 (2) of the draft is blunt. "A person shall not transfer or repatriate the body of a person who has died of Ebola disease outside Kenya," the provision reads. Inside Kenya, a medical officer of health would have to organise the burial within 24 hours. The burial would take place at a site judged suitable on public health grounds. Only trained staff in protective equipment would be allowed to handle bodies. Bodies would go into sealed, leak-resistant bags with identification references. Washing, embalming or dressing a body for a funeral would be banned. A sealed body could be opened only for an examination or specimen collection allowed by law. Medical officers would also have to decontaminate premises and equipment, dispose of contaminated waste safely and monitor staff exposed during handling or burial. Duale told MPs that the rules aim to control the spread of…
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