The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A dramatic scene unfolded at the Mwea Mission Hospital mortuary in Karira, Kirinyaga County, as a family dispute over the burial of Francis Muthike spiraled into a ten-hour standoff.
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The conflict involved Muthike’s two wives, Jane Wamwirua and Jane Wangeci, and their ten children, who argued over who should be authorized to sign the burial permit—a key document believed to be linked to inheritance claims.
Muthike, a resident of Mugaa village in Mutithi ward, passed away following a short illness. Tensions ran high as the family members publicly quarreled in front of stunned onlookers, including other patients and hospital staff.
One of Muthike’s daughters from Wamwirua’s side claimed she had the right to sign the permit because she had settled the hospital bill. She then grabbed the document and ran out of the facility, throwing the situation into further disarray.
The altercation forced mortuary staff to temporarily shut down operations due to the disturbance.
“The chaos from the Mugaa villagers has disrupted everything. Even boda boda riders have had no business today,” said local resident Peter Kinyua.
It wasn’t until around 4:30 a.m. that calm was restored, following the intervention of Makutano Location Chief Peter Wanyeki. He helped broker a compromise, resulting in both wives agreeing to jointly sign the burial permit.
“We’ve resolved that both wives will sign the permit. However, due to the time, viewing of the body won’t be possible,” the chief explained.
After the agreement, the body was transported to Mugaa village. But the confusion didn’t end there—a new grave had to be hastily dug after it was discovered that the coffin was too large for the initial one.
“We’re digging another grave because the coffin can’t fit,” said a family member, Gatumbi.
Eventually, Muthike was laid to rest at approximately 6:45 a.m., concluding a day described by Jane Muthoni Kibara as “complete chaos.”
