This archive report was first published on 15 January 2022.
On January 15, 2022, Joshua Odoyo Nyariera's body was discovered at a church in Shauri Yako, Homa Bay town. The church, Great Commission Holy Christ Church, has declared that it does not support cremation, citing its doctrine that prohibits the practice.
According to the church's overseer, Benson Oyieng', the church's doctrine is clear on the internment of bodies, and they always dig a grave and bury the body. He stated that the church will not direct Nyariera's family on how to inter the body but will withdraw if the family decides to cremate it.
Despite the church's stance, Nyariera's body was found with a suicide note written in Dholuo, instructing people not to bury his body in a grave and instead cremate it. The note also directed that his body should not be taken to a mortuary. However, police ignored the note and took the body to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital Mortuary.
The church is currently undertaking special prayers for expelling demons which they believe made Nyariera commit suicide in the church. The prayers, which started on January 15, 2022, will end on January 22, 2022. The clergyman stated that they conduct special prayers using holy water that is sprinkled all over the church to expel the demons.
Nyariera, who used to operate an Mpesa shop as an agent, committed suicide over what he termed as inability to pay debts he had accumulated. The note written in Dholuo had a message that the deceased feared being arrested and taken to jail if he was sued over the debts.
Senior Assistant Chief of Arujo Sub-location Jackton Olielo advised the residents to seek help when faced with such challenges, stating that there is no problem that warrants suicide.
