A woman from Borabu in Nyamira County has been granted permission by a group of elders to commence preparations for the burial of her estranged husband set for Tuesday September 29.
Vane Nyaboke is said to have separated from Abel Nyangena 20 years ago and the family of the deceased had opposed her request to set up a structure in which her husband would be buried according to Abagusii customs that mandates the first wife to take responsibility of burying the husband.
On Tuesday September 22, a group of elders permitted her to set up the structure after Nyaboke produced documents proving their legal marriage that had not been terminated.
“As elders, we have no right at all to deny her the opportunity to bury the husband as customs dictate. She has tabled documents that show she is still legally married to the deceased and that is why we granted her the permission to go ahead with the plan,” said Evans Ondieki on behalf of the elders.
They advised the family of the deceased that had opposed the inclusion of Nyaboke as part of the family to seek legal redress on the matter if they had contrary evidence regarding the matter.
“The doors aren't closed and we just made a ruling after the two parties’s requested us. If the aggrieved party isn't contended with the decision, they can still pursue the matter in the court,” he added.
However, a section of the family members, led by Jackson Onsomu disowned Nyaboke and vowed to take the matter to court to block her from "interfering" with their father’s funeral.
"She is just an outsider and she is trying to interfere with our funeral arrangements. Our dad only had one woman and that is our mother Teresa Nyangena. Any attempt to intrude into our family business is unacceptable,” he said.