A bereaved family in Bungoma suffered double tragedy when a boda boda rider who had died and the family of his inlaws fought over money given out during the burial.
During the burial of the bodaboda operator, the deceased died when family members went for each other jugular over some money donated by politicians to “console the bereaved family.
Pandemonium broke out at Namunyiri village in Bukembe location during the burial ceremony of the deceased Joshua Musimisi who died last week after he was murdered by unknown assailants.
Mourners who attended the burial said the final rites had reportedly started off well and there had been no sign of acrimony but hell broke loose moments after a huge sum of money was handed over to the wife of the deceased by some elected leaders.
A neighbour Isaac Wafubwa told KNA that chaos erupted at the burial soon after political leaders led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and the area MCA handed a sum of Sh100, 000 to the bereaved wife as a token of consolation.
As soon as the leaders left, a commotion erupted when the brothers to the deceased ordered the widowed woman to give them the money that had been handed to her.
However, the deceased’s wife Sophy Musimisi instead gave the money to her younger brother Kevin Wanyonyi who attempted to run away with the cash but they chased and caught up with him and beat him mercilessly, leaving the rest of the mourners in utter astonishment.
Police from Bungoma arrived minutes later to rescue the victim but unfortunately, he succumbed to injuries and died on arrival at the Bungoma Referral hospital.
The body was moved to the hospital’s mortuary for preservation.
Pastor Calistus Barasa of Tabernacle Praise Church who was leading the burial proceedings condemned the incident.
Bukembe location Chief Patrick Mukoye confirmed the incident.
The culprits were arrested and are in police custody awaiting to be taken to court.
Bungoma OCPD Patrick Nyangaresi confirmed the arrests.
By Timothy Wekesa
