A church was forced to intervene and bury a woman whose body had been in the mortuary for three weeks after villagers refused to attend the burial.

The residents of Mokongonyoni village in Nyakoe ward, Kisii County, refused to help with the late Linet Kerubo's burial plans because she was not active in any community matters when she was alive.

PHOTO | COURTESY police line

Kerubo was 33 years old when she died, and she was living with her mother, Elmelda Otora, who, interestingly, has been engaged in local issues. 

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According to widely held and recognized customs among the Abagusii, anyone still living with their parent(s), regardless of age and whose parent(s) are participating in village activities, is likewise considered an active participant.

However, for the locals of Mokongonyoni, things are different. Kisii-based journalist Rogers Gichana said that the people allege that the deceased were over 18 and should have actively participated in village activities.

Gichana claims it took the involvement of Nyamataro PAG church, where the deceased's mother is a member, to settle mortuary bills and bury the deceased.

"This is strange. After these same residents saw that the church had taken the matter up, they wanted to take up the burial programme but the church said no. They had abandoned this family when it needed them the most," Gichana said.