Family conduct traditional burial ritual to curse Juma killers, results ‘expected soon’

As promised, Jacob Juma’s family conducted a traditional send off for their son, including rituals to identify and punish his killers.

The consequences, according to the family, could range from the culprits “going mad, being hit by a speeding vehicle or dying in a plane crash.”

Eliud Lukhoba, 68, Juma’s elder brother, confirmed that what The Nairobian witnessed on May 14 during Juma’s burial included casting of a curse on those who had hand in the billionaire businessman’s death.

One of Juma’s brothers, Milton Boyi Juma, descended into the cemented grave with two pallbearers.

In what could only be described as bizarre, the three men opened the casket bearing Juma’s body and Boyi proceeded to put his head in the casket while murmuring.

“The words he was saying are what we told you about earlier,” Lukhoba revealed when The Nairobian sought to know what was going on. “He does not have to shout as some people expected. All he has to do is mutter the key words to the deceased and curse will take effect,” said Lukhoba.

Gerishon Wesonga, 63, another of Juma’s brothers, was also in the grave with the casket but left the three to carry on with the rituals.

Interestingly, Boyi did his traditional part as the ACK church continued with the funeral service bringing to light the conflict between the church and traditionalists.

Bishop (Emeritus) Josiah Were then went on to cleanse the grave with the words, “We sanctify the grave where our brother Juma will lie of any defilement,” before reading Revelation 14:13 and ordering the casket to be lowered.

Another man appeared from the peripheries of Juma’s compound with a spear in his hand and a scarf around his neck as he sung a Luhya dirge.

“Oh Juma, son of my mother; Oh Juma, the renowned contractor, whom have you left us with? You just went like that, Oh Juma, deal with your killers,” he sung as he went around the area until the compound cleared of people.

Three ACK churches choirs - Mundimbu, Namasasi and Mungore parish stayed at the graveside singing hymns as the body was lowered even as the ritual carried on until flowers were placed on the grave,

“We have no problem with anyone mourning the dead in whatever way. What I know is that after a church cleanses a grave, it remains so forever,” said Bishop Beneah Salalah of ACK Mumias Dioceses who is also a cousin to Juma. He told mourners at the funeral that Juma’s killers have to deal with their conscience. “Let the killers openly confess their sin if they want peace,” he declared.

Juma was eulogised as a God-fearing man by his Nairobi pastor.

The family of Juma went on to mimic a ceremonial birth at the neighbouring River Sio before shaving their heads.

“This is in line with our traditions to mark the end of the generation of our brother and a new a fresh start,” Lukhoba explained.