Where the dead are preserved traditionally

 Mr Simon Komen prepares of morque used to preserve dead bodies at Keiu Viallage in Marakwet East.05.1.2015. Pictures By Peter Ochieng

In many parts of Kenya, once a person dies their remains are immediately taken to a mortuary awaiting burial.

This is not the case for residents of Chegilet village who are forced to use traditional methods to preserve their dead.

According to 70-year-old Simon Komen, a traditional mortician, these methods have been used for generations to address inadequate morgue facilities in the region.

Speaking to The Standard, Mr Komen said there were only three mortuaries in the county.

“We have one at Iten County Referral Hospital, another at Kaptarakwa Sub-county Hospital and a third at Kapsowar Mission Hospital. They are all situated in the highlands - too far for residents living in Kerio Valley to access,” he said.

“The nearest morgue from here is the one in Iten, which is 100 kilometres away. So residents have opted for traditional methods to cut down on travel as well as mortuary costs,” he said.

The mortician, who has been carrying out his trade for the past two decades, said the procedure must be done quickly because the area is very hot and decomposition sets in fast.

Fine sand

He said whenever a family is bereaved, he is called, together with other elderly men charged with the responsibility of preserving bodies.

“The ‘morgue’ has to be within the deceased’s home. We prepare the ground by spreading fine sand and sprinkling water on it to ensure it remains cool. This is ideal for preservation,” he said.

Komen further reveals that in the case of accident victims, a special concoction of herbs is administered on the corpse to enhance preservation.

Despite his good standing with residents over the years for the vital service he provides, the traditional mortician wants a modern mortuary built in the region and has urged the county government to make this a priority. Speaking to The Standard, Health Executive Stephen Biwott admitted there were no modern mortuaries serving the semi-arid Kerio Valley.

Bad omen

“We have special rooms in our health facilities situated in Kerio Valley that are used to keep the dead pending burial. However, plans are under way to build three morgues to serve the region,” said Mr Biwott.

The executive said once complete, these facilities would hold 10 bodies at a time.

“We are also working on upgrading the existing morgue in Iten to hold 24 bodies as well as expanding the other ones,” he said.

Biwott, however, blamed residents for adamantly refusing to donate land for a public cemetery.

“The county lacks a public cemetery because residents believe it is a bad omen and have refused to donate land to construct one,” he said.

Komen confirmed that the lack of morgues nearby was compounded by the fact that residents had resisted previous attempts to set any up because they believed the move would attract death to their doorsteps.