Kiambu: Gatundu Man Buried Within 15 Minutes Over Alleged Family Property Dispute
- In Gatundu South’s Kiganjo Wandutu village, mourners watched in disbelief as Julius Mbogo was buried in just 15 minutes
- The rushed send-off was allegedly due to a heated property dispute between his two wives, which saw him buried without a service or final goodbye
- Now, the shocking burial has sparked outrage and conversations about family feuds, inheritance, and the dignity of the dead
Gatundu South – Residents of Kiganjo Wandutu village were left in shock after a dramatic burial that lasted barely 15 minutes, following a bitter property dispute between two families.
Source: Getty Images
The late Julius Mbogo was laid to rest immediately upon arrival at his home, with no burial service or traditional send-off.
Emotional video captured Mbogo's burial
Videos shared on Facebook captured the moment pallbearers rushed into the man's compound carrying the coffin.
The grave was already prepared, so as soon as the body was brought in, it was lowered into it, covered, and the crowd dispersed.
In normal burials, a lowering device is used to safely and smoothly lower the casket into a grave; that was not the case in Mbogo's burial.
According to locals, the burial was so swift that mourners had little time to pay their last respects.
Why Gatundu man was hurriedly buried
Gatundu North Noticeboard reports that the move came amid an ongoing land case in which his second wife was accused of attempting to inherit all of his property.
With the risk of her leaving the first wife’s children with nothing, the family figured a hurried burial would stop the plan.
Maggie Njoki reflected on the human side of the tragedy and urged men to make sound decisions while alive.
"Imagine the pain of the few people who truly cared and loved him? How will they heal from all this?”
Social media reactions
The unusual send-off has sparked debate about family inheritance disputes, polygamy, and the importance of writing wills to avoid such bitter conflicts.
Since the video went viral, social media has been flooded with mixed reactions.
Ruth Utheri:
“If there was a court case, hakunanga protocols. You are supposed to be buried immediately. It’s usually a court order to bury within 15 minutes.”
Prince Change:
“These men with spades seem so energetic. Their problems start there if they are doing injustice. I sympathise with them.”
Misheck Maina:
“Men, kindly distribute your wealth equally to your wives and kids when alive. You brought them, be responsible. No such embarrassment later.”
Mwai Wa Mwangi:
“This makes me remember our grandpa was buried within 9 minutes in 1994, same case; one wife wanted to take everything, and she was another man’s wife.”
Source: Getty Images
How to handle succession rows
According to Njaga Co. and advocates, succession rows in Kenya occur after family members fight over the property of a deceased person.
The information shared by the advocates indicates that succession law is about what happens to a person’s property after they die. How the property is shared depends on whether the person left a valid will (testate) or not (intestate).
In Kenya, many estates have ended up in disputes, and these disagreements are not just between family members; outsiders also sometimes claim a share of the deceased’s property.
Because of this, courts must decide whether such claims are valid and then determine how the estate should be distributed.
In the case of Re: Estate of Marete Mbui alias Justus Marete (2017), the court gave part of the estate to the deceased’s daughters, who had earlier been excluded because the property was meant only for the sons.
This indicates that courts strive to make fair decisions, ensuring that all rightful beneficiaries receive an equitable share of the estate.
Coffin bursts open during Bungoma burial
Elsewhere, a burial ceremony in Bungoma County took an unexpected turn, leaving mourners in shock, with screams filling the air.
This is after the coffin overturned mid-ceremony, prompting screams and confusion as everyone took off in different directions.
Details of why the coffin fell emerged through a video that stirred public debate about burial rights and respect for the dead.
Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, added details of how to handle succession rows.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
