Machakos Family Recounts Painful Moment Rowdy Youth Took Over Son’s Burial: "Hatukumzika"

• A peaceful send-off for 24-year-old Leonard Mutua turned chaotic in Masawani, Kangundo, leaving the family devastated
• Erick Muema, the grieving father, shared in a video the events that led to the unfortunate incident and how they never got to bury his son
• The pastor presiding over the ceremony said it was painful to see what transpired, noting that such acts bring families unnecessary pain

A family in Masawani village, Kangundo, Machakos county, is yet to come to terms with the bizarre manner in which their son was buried.

Leonard Mutua Muema tragically lost his life following a head-on collision involving two motorcycles on July 13.

What was meant to be a peaceful send-off ceremony for the 24-year-old turned chaotic when rowdy boda boda riders hijacked the event, sidelined the church, and prevented the family from performing the final burial rites.

What happened at Machakos burial?

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Leonard’s father Erick Muema narrated the disturbing events from the moment his son’s body arrived home.

“They brought forward two motorcycles, placed them together and put the coffin on top. They refused to use the table that is usually used to hold the coffin,” he said.

Muema explained that the church had taken over the service and everything seemed to be going smoothly until the pastor concluded.

He noted that the rowdy youth took the body just as they were about to carry it to the gravesite.

“They were screaming, some took off their shirts. They sent everyone away — the pastor, my wife and I, family and other mourners, all of us were told to leave,” he shared.

The grieving father shared that the men opened the casket and attempted to give the deceased bhang while also pouring alcohol over his body.

“I still ask myself if corpses smoke bhang and drink alcohol, but maybe they know better,” he said.

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He added that the men revved and spun a motorcycle around the grave, raising clouds of dust that filled the burial site.

Local authorities strongly condemned the act, saying such behaviour would not be tolerated in the area.

“If our young people are aggrieved, they should come to the office and report instead of causing chaos and disturbing people’s peace,” said the area chief.

Another family member, while distancing themselves from the incident, called on the police to investigate unorthodox groups within the region that are suspected of fueling such chaos.

How did the disturbance affect Leonard Muema’s family?

The pastor who presided over the ceremony said it was deeply unfortunate to witness such scenes in Masawani.

“As church leaders who came to console the family, we are not happy with how the events unfolded. Such actions cause family members immense pain and long-term emotional trauma,” he said.

Leonard's sister Zenah Kambua expressed her anguish, saying it hurt them that they did not get to bury their brother as they had planned.

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“They did not even bring the body inside the compound through the gate, they passed through the fence. They denied us a chance to bury Leonard,” she said.

The family only returned to the gravesite hours later, once the dust had settled, and gathered around the grave to finally pay their last respects.

“I felt really sad as a parent. I was to bury my son according to our traditions, but they denied me that right. I didn’t even get to pour soil on his grave or pay my final respects,” noted Leonard’s dad.

How does grief manifest?

TUKO.co.ke spoke to a psychologist who explained that grief manifests differently in different people.

Jedida Wafula said some individuals may become depressed, withdraw from family and friends, or stop engaging in their usual activities.

"Grief affects people in different ways. While some may cope well and grieve for a short period, others struggle. It doesn’t necessarily end; some may find themselves mourning years after losing a loved one," she said.

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How did boda boda riders bury colleague in Murang’a?

In other news, TUKO.co.ke reported that a boda boda rider who died in a tragic road crash was honoured in a bizarre way by his colleagues.

Dennis Kuria Wairimu’s funeral turned chaotic when the riders took over the service and began tossing his casket up and down before proceeding with the burial.

Despite pleas from the preacher to finish his sermon, the riders ignored him and continued lining up their motorbikes near the body, leaving the family helpless.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke