What was meant to be a peaceful farewell for Leonard Mutua Muema in Machakos turned into a bizarre and painful experience for his family.
Muema, a boda boda rider, died in a tragic motorcycle accident along the Tala to Kangundo road.
But instead of a solemn burial, the funeral was hijacked by his fellow riders.
According to the family, a large group of boda boda riders stormed the funeral and disrupted the entire program.
They insisted on handling the burial their own way.
The family, together with the clergy, was pushed aside as the group took control of the event.
Muema’s father said that when the time came to bury his son, the riders carried the coffin, placed it on two motorbikes, and began shouting and removing their shirts.
He added that the group opened the coffin, lit bhang, and began smoking around the body.
They also poured alcohol on Muema and appeared to offer some to him while he lay in the casket.
He expressed confusion and disbelief, saying he did not know whether dead bodies could take bhang or alcohol, and remarked that only the riders could answer that question.
He also recalled how a motorbike was spun near the grave, sending soil flying in all directions.
The burial took place without any input from the family, leaving the father heartbroken.
He said he felt deep sadness as a parent because he had wanted to lay his child to rest in a respectful manner but was denied that chance.
He added that he never even got the opportunity to throw soil into the grave to pay his final respects.
The clergy and local leaders have condemned the incident and called for investigations into the rogue groups causing unrest in the community.
