A Heartbreaking Struggle for Burial Rights
Ides Wairimu Mburu finds herself in a deeply emotional and challenging situation following the death of her polygamous father. The loss has left her and her immediate family in a difficult position, as they face opposition from the stepfamily over the burial arrangements of their late father. According to Wairimu, one of the families is determined to go against tradition and deny her the right to bury her father.
Speaking with MG NEWS DAY.co.ke, Wairimu expressed her distress, revealing that her stepfamily not only wants control over her father’s body but also his property. She shared heartbreaking details about the alleged conflict with her stepfamily, which she claims has put her life in danger.
Wairimu, a resident of Mugumwaine ward in Gatanga constituency, Murang’a county, described how the tension escalated after her father’s passing. Her father, who lived to be 92, had four wives, and she is the daughter of the first wife. While the initial marriages were harmonious, the relationship changed when he married the fourth wife. This wife, according to Wairimu, had nine children from a previous relationship but no children with her husband.
During her father’s illness, Wairimu and her sisters took turns caring for him at the AIC Kijabe Hospital. They asked the sons of the fourth wife to help by taking shifts, but they refused, telling them to hire someone instead. This refusal deepened the rift between the families.
According to Wairimu’s cultural traditions, her father was expected to be buried alongside his first wife in their home in Murang’a. However, the fourth wife’s family, who live in Gilgil, Nakuru county, sought a court order to have him buried in their village. They reportedly approached the hospital at night with legal documents, attempting to take the body. Fortunately, the hospital did not allow them to do so.
The dispute continued, and Wairimu and her family filed an appeal to bury their father next to their mother’s grave. Despite this, the issue remains unresolved, and eight months later, her father’s body is still in the mortuary. Wairimu claims that the stepfamily is not only fighting for the burial but also for a share of the estate, leading to ongoing conflicts.
Wairimu stated that her family is powerful, and she feels like she is the only one actively fighting for her family’s rights. This struggle has taken a heavy toll on her, but she continues to fight for justice and to ensure her father is laid to rest peacefully.
“They buried their father in peace. I wonder why they won’t allow us to bury ours,” she said. “I have cried until I have no more tears and no more strength to mourn. All I want is to lay my father to rest.”
Wairimu came forward publicly because she believes her life is in danger. She has received threats from the stepfamily, adding to the emotional burden she carries.
Another Tragedy: A Young Boy’s Body Stuck in a Morgue
In another tragic story from Kisumu, the body of a young boy named Ishael “Jose” Ouma remained in a morgue for weeks due to an unpaid hospital bill of KSh 75,000. His father made an emotional plea, which resonated with many Kenyans. As a result, kindhearted individuals stepped in to help raise the necessary funds.
Finally, the young boy’s body was taken to his home village for burial, bringing some closure to his grieving family. This incident highlights the challenges faced by many families in Kenya, where financial constraints can delay or prevent proper burials.
