A family from the Western region was left in deep frustration and confusion on Friday after an unusual incident unfolded at a local mortuary, delaying the transportation of their deceased relative for several hours.
What was expected to be a routine process of collecting the body and beginning the journey home for burial turned into a dramatic scene that drew the attention of residents and onlookers.
According to eyewitnesses and a video circulating online, the family had arrived early in the morning to pick up the remains of their loved one.
However, moments after the body was loaded into the vehicle, the bus meant to transport it failed to start. Multiple attempts to ignite the engine bore no fruit, even after the driver made repeated trials.
Mourners, visibly shaken, decided to remove the body from the vehicle in a bid to understand what was happening.
Some were seen kneeling beside the coffin, pleading and speaking to the deceased according to cultural rituals practiced in parts of Western Kenya and Nyanza.
Despite their efforts, the situation did not change immediately, leading to growing tension among the family members who began fearing the worst—believing that the deceased had not “accepted” the journey home.
The dramatic standoff lasted close to six hours, during which traditional explanations began emerging from elders within the group.
In certain communities in Western and Nyanza regions, it is believed that a deceased person can spiritually “reject” being taken home if unresolved issues surround their burial or if someone responsible for their suffering is among the delegation transporting the body.
Families often interpret such incidents as a sign that a particular individual should not accompany the body, or that the burial site itself is contested, unclean, or contrary to the deceased’s wishes.
In this case, some elders suggested that unresolved land disputes or the involvement of a contentious family member could have triggered the incident. Others believed that the deceased may have expressed burial preferences that were being ignored by relatives.
After hours of negotiations, prayers, and traditional rituals performed by the elders, the situation appeared to ease.
The vehicle finally ignited, prompting emotional relief among the mourners. The body was then loaded back into the bus and the group resumed their journey toward Nyanza, where burial preparations were already underway.
Though scientifically unexplained, such occurrences are taken seriously in many communities within the region, where cultural values and spiritual interpretations remain deeply rooted. Elders often advise families to address internal conflicts before the burial day to avoid similar situations.
The incident has sparked wide debate online, with some Kenyans viewing it as a cultural reminder about the importance of honoring the wishes of the dead, while others see it as a mechanical coincidence interpreted through traditional belief systems.
Nonetheless, for the affected family, the experience remains an unforgettable and emotionally taxing chapter as they prepare to lay their loved one to rest.
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