By Job Weru
Tempers flared at a cemetery in Nyeri County after health officials interred a body of a man, which has been lying at a mortuary since March, without involving his kin.
The squatters from Iruri settlement scheme arrived at the cemetery in Githwariga area only to find Joseph Ndururi’s body being buried.
The villagers had visited Tumutumu Mission Hospital mortuary and were informed that a public health officer had taken the body.
They then travelled to Nyeri, where they found gravediggers doing final touches on the grave.
Fredrick Murage, chairman of Nyeri County Residents Association, said villagers wanted to hold a decent burial for Ndururi. He expressed fears that the officials did not even bury him in a coffin the community bought.
“We were the only brothers and sisters he had. It is astonishing that we came and found that they had collected the body,” said Murage.
The mourners, who were stranded at the cemetery displayed clothes, which they intended to bury Ndururi in.
“The officers have committed a serious violation of rights and we are ready to take action. Why have they buried him like a dog?” posed Murage.
Richard Muriuki, who is chairman of Iruri Squatters Association, accused public health department of colluding with the Provincial Administration, to frustrate the community’s efforts to bury the deceased.
