A family in Magombo village in Nyamira County was on Monday compelled to hire grave diggers contrary to the customs of Abagusii community when burying their loved ones.
John Mochama, who was reported to have died following a police ambush in the outskirts of Nairobi early this month, was denied a decent sendoff due to beliefs of residents that burying a thief was against the customs.
According to a family member Daniel Ogari, the surrounding community which is normally mandated to dig the grave had declined the activity arguing that it was a bad omen to dig a grave for a suspected thief.
Following the protest, the family had to reach for people from distant villages who agreed to carry out the service at a costly fee of Sh5000.
“They refused to show solidarity with the bereaved family on grounds that the deceased was a member of the gang who was killed by police. I am not sure of the allegations but we had to hire grave diggers for the ceremony to be successful,” said Ogari.
“Normally we do not charge fee for digging a grave because it is a voluntary thing from members of the village. But today it has happened though we do not regret that.
Alloys Ong ‘era, a brother to the deceased dismissed the speculations that his slain brother was killed on a suspected ambush by the police and insisted he had been involved in a road accident.
Village elder Wisley Otenyo said the custom of avoiding to dig a grave of suspected thugs was archaic since it has no relevance in the modern society.
“We used to practice such a thing during those days, but I do not think that something wrong can really happen to anybody’s family if they dig a grave for a suspected thief,” said elder Otenyo.