A funeral ceremony in Marenga Budalangi took a chilling turn when a man suddenly collapsed and died while playing a church drum beside the grave of the deceased.
Emmanuel Makokha, a dedicated choir member, while turning the rhythm for followers and mourners, suddenly fell into the grave, an incident that left many with more questions than answers.
The unfolding event forced the ceremony to be adjourned for a few hours as Emmanuel was rushed to Port Victoria Subcounty Referral Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life.
Upon arrival at the facility Emmanuel was pronounced dead after examination by the facility medics.
Church members were of the opinion that it was a normal death citing Ecclesiastes 3 that there is time for everything and Emmanuel has left to be with the lord.
The Bunyala elders however have a completely different view on the matter noting that the death was as a result of a punishment by the deceased to Emmanuel for allegedly having an affair with his wife.
“According to our Luhya culture, if a wife or husband is unfaithful in their marriage then he or she should not attend the burial of the person who they were cheating with their partner. But in case you attend then you will collapse and die instantly,” said Ekesa, an elder who spoke to the press on the matter.
The elders however advised that in case such matters arises then the person ought to have sought the intervention of elders to give him herbs to save his life.
The burial ceremony continued after an hour while the body of the late Makokha remains at the hospital morgue awaiting postmortem to determine the cause of his demise.
By Absalom Namwalo
