Residents of Lurambi village in Kakamega County were Monday left puzzled after a group of youth stormed a burial, sparking a fight that left the deceased's body lying on the ground.
The unknown gang of 20 young men reportedly descended on mourners with crude weapons, injuring some while others scampered for safety.
Husband to the deceased, Albert Muchetsia, said the gang embarked on a rampage, destroying tents and chairs, cutting down trees, bananas and other crops disrupting his wife's final send-off.
According to Mr Muchetsia's brother Patrick Anguba, the thugs could have been hired by a family from whom his brother bought the land where the burial was taking place.
“My brother bought this land many years ago. However, after the man who sold it to him died last year, some family members started laying claim to the plot alleging it was sold against their will. They have ignored all the sale documents in our possession,” Mediamax quotes Mr Anguba.
The husband to the deceased expressed his worry, noting that the family from whom he bought the land was hellbent on ensuring his wife was not buried in that land.
“They are opposed to the burial of the body on the land and have vowed to ensure that they evict us from here. We appeal for help from the government,” said Muchesia, an employee of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Following the dramatic incident the family was left planning to buy another coffin.
Kakamega Central police boss Richard Ng’etich urged the family to remain calm as police investigate the matter, vowing to net the gang.
