Police in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, are investigating an unusual burial case in which a 40-year-old man was laid to rest without a coffin or customary funeral rites. The deceased, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was buried last Friday in an old blanket just hours after his death, allegedly due to claims that he failed to contribute to community funerals during his lifetime.
According to North East Kadem Location Chief, John Bosco Akal, preliminary investigations revealed that the man, who had been ailing for some time, died at home and was hurriedly buried the same day. Instead of the conventional arrangements that include keeping the body in a mortuary, purchasing a coffin, and organizing a funeral service, his family reportedly opted for a swift burial.
Chief Akal stated that relatives and community members refused to cover mortuary fees or buy a coffin, insisting that the deceased had not supported others in similar circumstances. “The family decided to bury him immediately after his death in an old blanket, saying he never contributed to community burials,” Akal explained.
The chief further noted that this decision sparked concerns about dignity in burial practices and the extent to which cultural traditions should be upheld regardless of personal differences. He added that police have since summoned several relatives to record statements as investigations into the matter continue.
The incident has stirred debate within Nyatike and beyond, with some residents defending the family’s actions, claiming that community support must be reciprocal. Others, however, argue that denying the deceased a dignified burial violated both cultural norms and basic human decency.
Police authorities have yet to determine whether any legal action will be taken, but the case has highlighted growing tensions over the role of communal obligations in rural society.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how social expectations and cultural responsibilities can influence even the most sacred of rites laying a loved one to rest.
