Tragic Loss on Transatlantic Flight

The Kenyan diaspora is mourning the sudden death of Roselyne Oyaro, affectionately known as Rose, who passed away mid-flight on Sunday, October 5, 2025, while returning to the United States from a family visit in Kenya. Oyaro, a nurse based in Long Beach, California, became unresponsive during a connecting KLM flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as flight KL601, was forced to make an emergency landing at Yellowknife Airport in Canada's Northwest Territories. Despite immediate medical intervention from the crew and emergency personnel on the ground, Oyaro, 34, was pronounced dead at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

Pulmonary Embolism Identified as Cause

Preliminary medical findings indicate that Ms. Oyaro suffered a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks blood flow to the lungs. While the final autopsy report is pending, investigations are exploring the possibility that the PE was triggered after Oyaro used a massage chair at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport before boarding her connecting flight.

Pulmonary embolism often originates from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot typically forming in the legs. Long periods of immobility, such as those experienced during extended flights, are a known risk factor for DVT and subsequent PE. Medical experts caution that deep tissue massages, or even the vibrations from massage chairs, can dislodge existing blood clots, potentially leading to a pulmonary embolism.

Rising Concerns for Kenyans Abroad

Ms. Oyaro's tragic passing adds to a growing number of deaths among Kenyans living abroad. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reveals a 13 percent increase in registered deaths of Kenyans outside the country in 2024, rising to 305 from 270 in 2023. The United States recorded the highest number of Kenyan deaths in 2024, with 71 fatalities.

The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, has acknowledged these challenges. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi stated in July 2025 that 316 Kenyans have died in Gulf countries since 2022, underscoring the urgent need for improved welfare services and monitoring for migrant workers.

Community Mobilises for Repatriation

Friends and family have described Roselyne Oyaro as a kind, dependable, and cherished individual. Her sudden death has deeply affected the Kenyan community both at home and abroad. Efforts are underway to repatriate her remains to Nairobi, Kenya, for burial, with a GoFundMe campaign launched to cover the associated costs.

Evidence/Data Box

• Deceased: Roselyne Oyaro, 34, a Kenyan nurse residing in Long Beach, California.
• Date of Incident: Sunday, October 5, 2025.
• Cause of Death: Preliminary findings indicate pulmonary embolism (PE).
• Flight Details: KLM flight KL601 from Amsterdam to Los Angeles.
• Emergency Landing: Yellowknife Airport, Canada.
• Kenyan Diaspora Deaths (2024): 305, a 13% increase from 2023.
• Highest Deaths by Country (2024): United States (71 deaths).

Unanswered Questions and Next Steps

While a pulmonary embolism has been identified as the likely cause, the final autopsy report is awaited to confirm all details. The precise role, if any, of the massage chair in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in triggering the embolism remains under investigation. Medical professionals generally advise caution with massage chairs for individuals with pre-existing conditions or risk factors for blood clots.

What to Watch

The Kenyan community in the diaspora will be closely following the repatriation efforts for Roselyne Oyaro's remains. This incident also brings renewed attention to the broader welfare and safety of Kenyans living and working abroad, particularly regarding health precautions during long-distance travel and access to adequate support systems.