A burial in Ugambe village, Ugenya sub-county, Siaya County, was abruptly stopped following a heated dispute between the two wives of the late man whose body was to be laid to rest. The family has been left stranded after the first wife obtained a court order halting burial plans initiated by the second wife.
Assistant Chief of Sega sub-location, Mr. Emmanuel Opondo, revealed that the first wife had been separated from the deceased for many years but recently reappeared to assert her rights over the burial arrangements. The body was scheduled for retrieval from the mortuary on Friday, with burial planned for Saturday at the home the late man had built with his second wife.
Preparations for the burial were reportedly complete when the first wife presented a court injunction preventing the burial at the second wife’s residence. She insists the burial should take place at the deceased’s paternal home, rather than at the second wife’s home. The disagreement has left the family in limbo, with no clear resolution yet.
This dispute touches on sensitive issues regarding Luo customs and traditions. According to these customs, the first wife is prohibited from entering the second wife’s home, which was established in her absence. Traditionally, the first wife should have her own residence, and the home built by the deceased with the second wife is not considered hers.
The legal battle adds a new dimension to the situation, with the matter scheduled for urgent hearing at Ukwala Law Court on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Community leaders and family members hope that the court will provide clarity on the burial location and restore peace to the grieving family.
This case highlights the complex intersections between customary practices and modern legal frameworks in matters of family and inheritance. It also underscores the emotional and social challenges that arise when families are divided, particularly in polygamous relationships, complicating the rites of passage such as burial.
As the family awaits the court’s decision, the community remains sensitive to the need for respecting both tradition and legal rights in ensuring a dignified burial for the deceased.
