A middle-aged man was on Thursday whisked out of a funeral service by angry mourners over allegations of masterminding the death of a devoted Christian in Sensi village, Marani sub-county.
The mid-morning incident that left many mourners who had travelled to attend Mrs Grace Nyaboke’s funeral may once again reignite the witchcraft debate and the punishment that suspects should be imposed.
According to a witnesses, the man (name withheld) is said to have planned and executed the death of the deceased through witchcraft since on Wednesday, he was found at Christa Marianne mortuary trying to reach the body of the diseased for superstition purposes.
“Many residents believe that he bewitched the deceased since they had bitter differences over a piece of land. He has been found before severally in the compound of Ms Nyaboke uninvited, making us to believe that he was behind the mysterious death,” said Mr Hesbon Nyanchwana.
“On Wednesday, he was again found in the mortuary and wanted to claim the body in the absence of the family. He was beaten and rescued by hospital workers and that is why people are again chasing him from the funeral,” added Mrs Mary Ondari.
However, tension that had engulfed the village was calmed by church elders and regional pastors who appealed to the mourners to exercise patience and allow everyone to attend the funeral.
“We must remember that when one dies, it is the will of God. Let us allow everybody to attend the funeral without discrimination. God is the master planner and his ought to be respected,” said Pastor Victor Okebiro.