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Court makes new ruling on exhuming body of Kenya's 1st Coronavirus victim

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

Contested exhumation of Covid-19 victim

Family beside the grave of Kenya's first Coronavirus victim, the late James Oyugi

The courts have made a final ruling on the exhumation of the body of Kenya's first Coronavirus victim, the late James Oyugi.

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Two members of the former Kenya Ports Authority employee had moved to court seeking orders to disinter the late Oyugi to allow proper burial rites according to the family's customs.

Judge Roselyne Aburili declined to give an exhumation order noting that it would endanger the family and expose members of the public to harm.

Also Read: Gov't changes tune on night burials for Covid-19 patients

File image of James Oyugi, Kenya's first Coronavirus victim who was buried at night in Siaya county
File image of James Oyugi, Kenya's first Coronavirus victim who was buried at night in Siaya county Pulse Live Kenya

The Covid-19 victim was buried at night under circumstances the family described as "being buried like a dog".

Read More: Our brother was “buried like a dog”- family in quarantine condemns KPA employee's funeral

The deceased's sister Joan Akoth Ajwan'g and son Brian Thomas Oyugi further sought to have the body exhumed to facilitate a postmortem examination.

Also Read: Another night burial for Kenyan patient who succumbed to Covid-19 [Photos]

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

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