This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
Isiolo, Kenya - July 21, 2019
Samson Mwongera, a 77-year-old businessman, was laid to rest at his Milimani home in Isiolo on Saturday, bringing to an end an unconventional funeral plan he had made 19 years ago.
According to his son, Munene Mwongera, the late businessman had prepared his own grave and that of his wife in 2000, when he retired from his workstation at the Isiolo Law Courts after being diagnosed with diabetes.
The grave was designed to accommodate both the deceased and his wife, with a concrete slab covering it to create space for the spouse to be buried on top when they finally die.
Mr. Mwongera also penned his own eulogy and that of his wife in 2003, with a tribute that whoever is left behind would read for the other during their funeral service.
However, not everyone in the family was happy with his decision, with his younger brother, Gibson Muriithi, stating that they had wanted him to be buried at their father's farm in Kibirichia, Meru County.
Mr. Muriithi also noted that the decision to dig one's own grave was not welcome, but that they had to agree and grant him his wishes upon death.
According to Meru traditions, whoever digs their own grave is supposed to slaughter a sheep, which Mr. Mwongera did not do.
His widow, Eunice Mwongera, recalled that when the deceased decided to prepare their grave, he called elders from his extended family and notified them of his decision.
She stated that they did not support the idea but still allowed him to proceed, upon which he called a mason the following day and the work began.
During their 44th wedding anniversary, Mrs. Mwongera added, Mr. Mwongera summoned all his four sons and four daughters, took them to the grave and instructed them to bury whoever dies first at the base, and the spouse later on top.
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