PHOTOS: Night burial for first COVID-19 victim in Bomet

Residents in Bomet County on Wednesday night, May 13, experienced a ‘strange’ night burial for the first COVID-19 victim in the county.

55-year-old Erick Kosgei was buried in Kagawet village in Itembe, Chepalungu constituency, similar to the ones witnessed in Siaya County and Limuru.

The burial was presided over by the County public health officers, in regards to the protocols set by the Ministry of Health while conducting such funerals.

Photos of the burial that were shared online by Kenyans showed the deceased body being lowered into the grave by health officers dressed in white hazmat suits.

The night burial, which lasted a few minutes, was also witnessed by the deceased family members that had not yet come into contact with him.

Other family members who came into contact were put into quarantine at Kaplong Girls High School.

Kosgei, who is also diabetic, is said to have traveled from Bomet to Nairobi on May 4 while he was ill. He was admitted to the Longisa Hospital and died the following day.

The burial comes weeks after a man in Siaya who died of COVID-19, was buried in the same way that left the villagers shocked.

The family condemned how the 59-year-old James Onyango was buried and even asked the government to exhume his body for a decent burial.

“We didn’t have any intention of burying our brother at night. We wanted to give him a decent burial during the day.

“Luo culture does not allow someone to be buried at night like a dog the way they did to my brother. This thing will affect the kids,” said Zack Onyango, brother to the deceased.

Yesterday, Kenya confirmed 22 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the country to 737.

The Ministry of Health CAS Dr. Rashid Aman also announced the number of recoveries increased to 281 while deaths rose to 40.