A bizarre incident was witnessed at Shamberere village in Kakamega county when a dead body refused to be buried.
Reports indicate that the late Light Magunda folded her hands before she was buried; a sign which according to the Luhya community meant that she was not ready to be buried.
It is reported that when the body left the mortuary, it was well with the hands straight. However, changes were noticed during the burial ceremony where the body had clenched its fists.
"We have seen a shocking incident. When she left the hospital her hands were very open. But yesterday night she folded her hand into a fist. (Tuemona mambo ya ajaabu, kwamba yeye alitoka hospitali kama mikono yake iko very open. Lakini sasa akifika usiku jana, imeonekana alifunga mikono na akakunja ngumi)," a mourner said.
It is alleged that the late Magunda was protesting against being buried without settlement of the dowry.
"The service was completed at around 1:14 pm but up to now at around 4:30 pm the body is yet to be buried. A person cannot be buried with the hand-folded like a fist. The tradition does not allow that. There are rituals that must be done. (Walimaliza ibada 1:14 pm mpaka saa hizi 4:30 pm hivi maiti haijazikwa. Mtu haezizikwa kama amekinja mkono kama ngumi. Kimila imekataa. Kuna kimila lazima tufanye)," another mourner stated.
The family of the husband of the late Light Muganda finally agreed to pay the required dowry in order for her to be buried peacefully.