From the morgue to the graveside: Man buried in 10 minutes

Residents of Mwangathia village in Ndia, Kirinyaga West were treated to an unusual incident after a 60-year-old man was buried in less than 10 minutes as per his last wishes. Family members took the body of Stanley Mugo from the mortuary straight to the graveside where his body was interred without any burial rites.

According to James Ngaire, a family member, the man had left instructions that he did not want any church or traditional ceremony at his burial.

"He was clear about how he wanted his burial to be conducted, and as family members, we have done our best to fulfill his wishes and also to absolve ourselves from any curses for not doing as instructed," he said.

Ngaire said the old man had also instructed that no food be cooked at his burial. Mourners left the homestead immediately after the burial for fear of any repercussions.

"Mzee had also instructed that there should be no speeches during his burial, and that is why we took him directly to the grave and buried him," he said.

Ngaire noted that no cross was placed on Mzee's grave since it would mean that a church ceremony was conducted and that would be going against the old man's wishes.

John Nyamu, the clan chairman, said that a cleric attempted to conduct prayers at the morgue but was told off by relatives. He is part of the clerics who conduct prayers for bereaved families at the morgue.

"A relative told him to stop, we couldn't afford any mistakes that can bring curses to the family later," he said.

Apostle Peterson Bekeri said they do not subscribe to the mzee's beliefs but still fulfilled his wishes so as to cut off the chain. "We believe that his beliefs are personal, so after fulfilling his wishes, we will cut off that cord and remove that curse from the family," he posed.