There was an altercation at a mortuary in Nanyuki over an unexplained delay to release the body of a church leader who died in mysterious circumstances.
The body of Archdeacon John Gitari was found in a hotel room in Nanyuki town. Relatives had been searching for him as he had gone missing.
Emotions ran high at Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary after officials declined to release the body.
Relatives, friends and African Independent Pentecostal Church of East Africa (AIPCEA) faithful arrived at the facility at 5am from Murang’a County and spent the whole day waiting for clearance.
It was not clear why the hospital took long to release the body despite police having given clearance.
Jane Muthoni, the dead man’s sister-in-law, said they were told to arrive early at the hospital to witness the postmortem examination.
“We had also paid the requisite fees needed for postmortem, but they kept on sending us to Nanyuki Police Station and several other offices until late in the evening,” said Ms Muthoni.
Lie In State
Archdeacon Anthony Gitonga of AIPCEA, Murang’a diocese, said the church’s faith demands that a body of a cleric should lie in state in church on the eve of the burial.
“The grave was ready and all burial preparations had been made... But they took us in circles,” said Gitonga.
The body was only released after journalists who were informed of the standoff arrived at the hospital.
Security officers at the hospital barred journalists from accessing the mortuary, claiming they had instructions from the management.
The body was released later that night without a postmorterm examination being conducted.
