This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
On October 21, 2019, the residents of Sachang'wan were left in shock after the burial of 88-year-old Joseph Kiama, who had specifically requested not to be interred in a casket.
According to Area Chief Joel Chepkwony, the family had briefed him before addressing the crowd outside the home, stating that the deceased had died of age-related illnesses on Monday and had instructed his family to bury him immediately.
The family had used traditional means of body preservation, including a wet bed made of charcoal and sawdust, and had also informed the authorities that they would not incur any expenses in feeding mourners at the burial, as per the late Mzee Kiama's wish.
"Mzee Kiama had told his sons that he should be buried with his old mattress and blanket and not a coffin. He also said his body should not be preserved in the morgue but at home where he had died," said Chepkwony.
Journalists who attempted to get a comment from the family were threatened and kicked out of the area by the youth manning the gates, while outsiders were denied access to the event only attended by the family.
