In normal circumstances, a coffin is a definite sign of a funeral service, but this was not evident in the will of a 107-year old man who at his last days before he passed on gave directions not to be put in a casket when being buried.
The elderly man who had a big family of 5 wives and 24 children wished to be buried without a coffin for reasons not yet known by his five wives who decided to disobey the will and bought him a casket.
The old man’s will was not either taken lightly by the area residents. On the burial date, all went on as planned but with murmurs from the old man’s children who had previously stated that they would obey their late father’s will to show their last respect to their parted father.
Drama unfolded when the casket was being taken to the grave side when the old man’s children stormed and totally destroyed the casket stating that their father would be buried in a manner he had wished as stated in his last will.
Speaking during the incident that unfolded in Mbusyani Kawethei sub-location in Kangundo sub-county, the location Chief Jane Kisangi called upon the attendants to observe peace.
“Our old man was very peaceful and we should honour that while laying him to rest. A person has the power to his own will and according to the law it should be respected. He was the eldest of us all and everyone should respect what he said not only because of our Nations law, but also because of our society’s values and virtues,” said Jane.
The eldest son in his eulogy stated that, “We have always loved and obeyed our father he brought us up accordingly and educated all of us without favour. He worked hard to keep us happy and the least we could do after his demise is to obey what he wished during his last days. We know disobeying him could bring our family and descendants a curse.”
The elderly man was later laid to rest in respect to his will.