In Murang’a County, a family confronted an unusual predicament on December 9, 2023, when they found themselves compelled to inter a banana plant in lieu of their beloved family member. This perplexing situation arose after a private hospital in the village of Kamuiru, Maragua constituency, refused to release the deceased’s body due to an outstanding bill of 1.3 million Kenyan Shillings. The local community is now urging the hospital to act responsibly and release the remains to facilitate proper funeral rites.
The deceased, 55-year-old Irene Wanjiru, had been admitted to a private hospital in Kirinyaga County in July 2022, following health complications that began in the previous year. Diagnosed with head cancer, she underwent surgery and various treatments at Kerugoya hospital, resulting in a total bill of 3.8 million Shillings.
Mwangi Irungu, the deceased’s son, explained that the family, through fundraising efforts, had managed to pay 2.5 million Shillings. An agreement was reached with the hospital administrators to allow the family to take possession of the body for burial. However, additional negotiations demanded a further 80,000 Shillings to finalize the arrangement.
To their astonishment, after presenting the additional funds to the hospital, the family was denied permission to proceed with the burial arrangements. This development left relatives and friends, who had gathered from different parts of the country for the funeral, in shock. In response, they conducted a symbolic burial ceremony for a banana plant.
The family had already prepared a grave, adhering to Agikuyu traditions that forbid leaving a grave open or filling it with soil without the intended body. Mzee Nduati Kariga, an 87-year-old family member, highlighted the cultural significance of this practice, emphasizing that leaving a grave unfilled is considered a curse on the deceased’s entire lineage. In such circumstances, a banana plant is buried to symbolically represent and honor the deceased, thereby purifying the family lineage according to customs.
Mzee Kariga further explained that the chosen banana plant is buried with its roots intact. This symbolic act is rooted in the belief that, even after interment, the plant will grow and produce more offspring, symbolizing the enduring prosperity of the deceased’s family despite the challenges of mourning.
