Police officers in Kisii County on Friday, August 1, rescued a woman and her relatives after mourners allegedly locked them in a house and threatened to burn them during a burial ceremony at Gesure Village.
The woman, identified as Ann Wanjiru, had reportedly refused to participate in a Gusii customary rite, sparking fury among family members and mourners present at the burial.
The incident occurred during the burial of Wanjiru's husband, who hails from the Gusii community.
According to witnesses, tensions escalated when Wanjiru declined to throw soil into the grave, which is mostly a symbol of acceptance of the deceased’s departure and the widow’s continued bond with the family.
The situation caused chaos at the ceremony, forcing local police officers to intervene. The family had also allegedly hidden Wanjiru's 13-year-old son during the commotion.
Officers arrived at the scene and rescued Wanjiru and several of her relatives, who had been confined in a house by angry mourners.
In photos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, police officers are seen whisking Wanjiru away to their vehicle as mourners shout and rebuke her.
The incident has sparked a heated debate among Kenyans online, with some questioning the relevance of such outdated rituals in the modern age.
Others, however, argued that community traditions should be respected, suggesting that women should conduct background checks on communities before intermarrying, to assess whether they can adapt.
"If you are not ready to follow someone's cultural beliefs, leave them. Each tribe has its own culture and beliefs. None is primitive. They have been there for centuries, and going against them brings consequences. Do research before marrying," one netizen argued.
''People need to stop bullying people with their ridiculous customs,'' another opined.
Burial rites in many Kenyan communities remain profoundly embedded in tradition, often placing pressure on widows, who, contrary to old times, are more educated and urbanised, to conform.
