Burial of Peter Wanyama, 47, was interrupted in Shirere ward, Kakamega County.
A funeral ceremony in Shirere ward, Kakamega County, turned dramatic on Tuesday after family members of the late Peter Wanyama, 47, stopped the burial midway.
Wanyama, a father of four who died after a short illness, was already being lowered into his grave when several relatives abruptly intervened, insisting the coffin be lifted out.
According to the family, they had received spiritual instructions during the night that Wanyama “had something to say” before being laid to rest.
Some relatives even jumped into the grave, forcing the coffin to be retrieved and placed on a mat nearby. The lid was opened, and family members cried, prayed, and spoke to the deceased.
One of Wanyama’s sisters claimed she heard a faint whisper from the body, though other mourners dismissed it as grief-driven imagination.
The unusual scene prompted local elders and religious leaders to step in and calm the mourners. Pastor John Musimbi, who led the final prayers, described the incident as extraordinary but understandable.
“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this. Grief can make people act in unusual ways. We must be patient and understanding,” Pastor Musimbi said.
After nearly an hour of prayers and counselling, the burial proceeded without further disruption.
The incident has sparked wide debate in the village, with some residents defending the family’s actions as a demonstration of deep love, while others condemned it as disrespectful to burial traditions.
Despite the drama, Peter Wanyama was eventually buried peacefully, though the extraordinary events left a lasting impression on mourners.
