- Drama erupted in Kirinyaga County when an assistant chief halted the rushed burial of 70-year-old Joseph Muchoki, citing concerns over cultural practices
- The deceased’s sister-in-law had attempted to bury him immediately due to financial struggles, using a makeshift coffin crafted by local youths
- Villagers, shocked by the sudden burial plans, have vowed to come together to ensure Muchoki receives a proper send-off
A somber day turned chaotic in Kagaki village, Ndia Constituency, Kirinyaga County, when an area assistant chief dramatically stopped the burial of 70-year-old Joseph Muchoki, causing a stir among villagers.
Mary Muthoni, the deceased’s sister-in-law, had been attempting to fulfill a promise made to her late husband by burying Muchoki immediately after his death.
Financially strained, Muthoni enlisted eight local youths to craft a makeshift coffin from leftover wood to give her brother-in-law a hasty burial.
However, the plan was thwarted when the assistant chief intervened, citing concerns over the rushed nature of the burial.
According to Muthoni, she had informed the chief about Muchoki’s death but was bewildered when he later halted the process.
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“My husband passed away last year and instructed me to bury his brother right away if he died. He even showed me where to lay him to rest, as Muchoki had sold all his land and had nowhere else to go,” she lamented.
Muchoki had been ailing for years and had returned to his brother’s compound three years ago after decades away.
His death was a quiet affair, and the news of the burial reached neighbors late, sparking confusion and concern.
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“We didn’t even know he had passed on until the chief stopped the burial. Some of us worried whether he had died naturally, though we were aware of his long illness,” said James Mugweru, a village elder.
The body had been taken to Kibugi Funeral Home with the help of well-wishers before the burial preparations commenced.
Jemimah Waithera, another family member, explained that the family’s dire financial situation left them with few options.
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“We wanted to honor him, but we simply didn’t have the resources for a proper burial. This was the only way we could manage,” Waithera said.
The abrupt halt left villagers, some of whom were unaware of Muchoki’s passing, shocked and concerned about cultural norms being disregarded.
“We are planning to come together as neighbors to ensure he receives a decent burial. Everyone deserves dignity in death,” Mugweru added.
