This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 7, 2019, Martin Shikuku Alukoye, a 31-year-old youth officer with the Kakamega County Youth Service, drowned in River Eburinde. He was buried on the night of August 11, 2019, in his service uniform, including boots, a service cap, and a lanyard.
However, on Monday, county officials, accompanied by administrators, visited the family's home to reclaim the service attire. They demanded to exhume the body, citing that it had been buried with County Youth Service uniform.
The family resisted and pleaded with the officers to let the body rest in peace, but their efforts fell on deaf ears. The county officials forcefully exhumed the body without a court order, amid entreats by the family to reach an agreement.
As the coffin was brought out of the grave, the body was removed, and the deceased was stripped naked. The officers reclaimed their property, leaving the family in shock and grief.
"The officers went against the laws of the land and the laws of our forefathers as they dismantled the coffin to reclaim the uniform," said Mr. Francis Mutamba, uncle to the deceased.
Mr. Mutamba stated that a section of the county officers were present during the burial but did not advise the family about burying their departed colleague in the service uniform.
Ituti sub-location assistant chief Daniel Namayi condemned the action taken by the county officers and threatened to lead the family in taking legal action against them.
"Once a body has been buried, it requires anyone with a complaint to acquire a court order in order to exhume it. The county administrators have gone against the law in recovering their clothing," said Mr. Namayi.
