The family of the late James Oyugi – the Covid-19 patient who was hurriedly buried in Siaya – has filed a petition in court to have the body exhumed, and an autopsy undertaken to ascertain the cause of death.
Joan Akoth Ajuang and Brian Thomas Oyugi, the son and sister want their kin accorded a decent burial.
In the lawsuit filed at the High Court in Siaya, the petitioners cited that should it be found that Oyugi died as a result of coronavirus, he should be accorded a decent burial in line with World Health Organization WHO) guidelines.
Simur Kondiek Location chief Michael Owuor has been listed as the first respondent, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe as the second and the Attorney General as the third. The Law Society of Kenya has also been listed as an interested member.
This comes as a team led by acting Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth visited the home of James Oyugi, yesterday.
The team began its visit at the Siaya County Referral Hospital inspecting the hospital’s preparedness in handling emergency cases that may arise from an outbreak of Covid-19.