Drama engulfed Kisii Town on Thursday morning after two families engaged in a battle of words following disagreement of who was the genuine owner of a body that was to be buried.
According to witnesses, the body of the deceased Mary Nyanchama was contested by her kin and the family of her husband Duncan Chweya.
The two families are said to have disagreed making it difficult for morgue attendants to release the body.
“The deceased was a married woman but later separated her husband on personal issues. They have not been living together till her demise and that is why her family is claiming the body. Her husband’s family is also claiming the body on grounds that they had paid dowry,” said a source who spoke on condition anonymity.
“However, the deceased parents have contested the dowry saying it was propaganda since they had returned the dowry after the two separated making the matter even complicated,” added the source.
However, the situation was calmed after Duncan Chweya was granted an urgent court order from Kisii Law courts by Senior Principal Magistrate Kibet Sambu that directed the morgue to take custody of the body till the stalemate is solved.
“I am happy that they have to listen to my grievances in court because they want to deny me what is rightfully mine. I am ready to face them in court,” he said.
Efforts to get comment from the deceased family were futile since no one was ready to attend to reporters.