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Relatives turn to theatrics of professional mourners to feign hero’s send-off

A section of Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi. PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD

They blow whistles, wail and sob. Women, overcome with 'grief' sing dirges and crawl and roll on the ground as they curse the evil spirit that has snatched their loved one. Young men, sitting dangerously on overloaded motor-cycles, make several trips around the mortuary, shouting and honking.

Their sorrow is so genuine, you would not help but feel sorry for them and their 'loss'. But be not deceived, these are men and women at work. They are professional mourners hired at a fee between Sh200 and Sh500 each to help give the departed soul a hero's send-off.

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