This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
On September 23, 2019, residents of Maji Mazuri village in Lugari Sub County were left stunned by the news of a villager holding a burial ceremony for his hen.
Joseph Omulayi, the owner of the hen, had been taking care of it for months, and it had laid 12 eggs, with one about to hatch. He had even cemented the grave and planned to observe the hen's death anniversaries.
According to Omulayi, he had fed his hen in the morning before leaving for work but found it lifeless on the nest when he returned in the evening. He then dug a three-foot grave, wrapped the hen and eggs in a white cloth, and buried it.
As a member of the Luhya community in Western Kenya, a hen is a valued asset, and losing one can be a significant financial blow, especially in a country where many people live on less than a dollar a day.
With the cost of living rising in Kenya, Omulayi's actions may seem understandable, but they have left his neighbors in shock. Some have even speculated that burying the bird is a way of cursing the killer.
A Bizarre Farewell ¶
Residents are still trying to come to terms with the bizarre burial actions, with some seeing a superstitious angle to it. Omulayi's neighbor, Halima Daraja, was shocked to find him mourning for the bird, saying, 'I was informed about the incident and was shocked to find him mourning for the bird.'
Another resident, Caroline Awinja, is anxiously waiting to see Omulayi conduct an anniversary next year, saying, 'I missed the episode, but I'm looking forward to seeing him observe the hen's death anniversary.'
