This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On July 2, 2019, a Bungoma court made a ruling that would change the burial plans of Charles Kenyalito, a Kibabii University lecturer who died in a road crash on July 1, 2019.
Kenyalito, a father of four, died in a road crash that occurred at Matulo area when a matatu headed to Eldoret from Bungoma collided with a bus coming from Nairobi towards Malaba.
His wife, Dorcas Kenyalito, wanted him buried in the land they had bought jointly at Kanduyi area in Bungoma County, but the family opposed this decision, arguing that the home the deceased built with his wife in Kanduyi was not in accordance with their customs.
According to the late university don's brother, Patrice Lumumba, Kenyalito had previously been initiated as a Luo elder, and therefore, should be buried together with his clansmen as is tradition.
Judge CA Mutahi ordered that the body of the deceased be moved from Life Care Hospital morgue and be taken to his ancestral home for burial according to Luo customs.
"We have no winner here since all of us have lost and we pray that the wife and her kids may support us to give our brother a befitting send off," said Mr. Lumumba following the court directive.
However, Mrs. Kenyalito has since disputed the ruling and vowed to appeal before the High Court.
