Family land dispute disrupts burial in Kirinyaga

The family of Patrick Muriuki, who died on July 10, had travelled to collect his body from Kerugoya Hospital mortuary when they discovered that the grave prepared for his burial had been refilled with soil and banana stems planted on the site.

Witnesses said some relatives opposed to the burial on the parcel of land had refilled the grave before the body arrived, claiming the land was the subject of an ongoing dispute.

Kiine Location Chief David Githinji said he responded to the scene after receiving reports that the grave had been filled in.

"I came here after I was informed that the grave had been refilled. We were waiting for the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Baricho Police Station to confirm whether there was a court order," the chief said.

According to the chief, a request had earlier been made to police to stop the burial, but officers could not intervene without a valid court order.

He later said local administrators and police established that one of the relatives had obtained a court order dated July 15 from a court in Nyeri restraining the burial on the disputed parcel of land.

"We advised the family members to resolve the matter through dialogue, and they agreed to continue discussions," Githinji said.

Tensions rose when the hearse carrying the deceased's body arrived to find the grave closed.

Some mourners reopened the grave, while those opposed to the burial reportedly attempted to prevent the exercise. Witnesses said a confrontation ensued, during which one person sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Another individual who opposed the burial also claimed to have been injured during the altercation.

Relatives from the two sides blamed each other for the standoff, with some questioning why objections had emerged after earlier burial preparations had proceeded without incident.

The clergy who had been scheduled to officiate the funeral left the venue before the burial took place.

Despite the disruption, mourners remained at the homestead, where food prepared for the funeral was served.

The deceased was eventually buried after the grave was reopened. Family members who opposed the burial said they intended to pursue the dispute through the courts.