The man at the centre of the bizarre incident in Nakuru where a family took the remains of their kin to his kiosk to demand a Sh400,000 debt has protested the move, saying they should have instead sought legal intervention.

Speaking to the Nairobian, Simon Waweru, however, declined to confirm or deny owing any money to the deceased, Richard Ogendi, 60.

"I was surprised that the family did what they did. The whole country watched and that is what people now know as the truth. That is what they wanted. It has been spread everywhere and I can't change that now," said Waweru.

"The family should just move to court or involve the police to investigate this matter. I can't give any further information for now," said Waweru.

There was drama in Kampi Somali slum on Monday morning when Ogendi's family collected his body from the Nakuru Level Five Hospital mortuary for an overnight stay at his Nakuru home.

At around 12 pm, a convoy of four vehicles snaked through Nakuru town on Mburu Guchua Road and headed towards Kampi Somali where Mr Ogendi's residence is.

"A short distance along the road leading to Kampi Somali, the hearse engine failed. This was at a trading centre with several shops and a food kiosk," claimed Benson Tonu, the deceased's nephew.

The mourners claimed that the hearse was checked for any mechanical breakdown but no fault was found before bodaboda riders who worked with Ogendi came up with a bizarre idea.

"The riders spotted a food kiosk which they had earlier on revealed to us it was operated by one Simon Waweru who happened to chair a merry-go-round where Ogendi was a member," he said.

Tonu said that the riders suggested that they offload the casket from the hearse and take it into the food kiosk which was suspiciously open and unattended.

Recover contributions

"We agreed to their idea. We had also tried contacting him to recover our uncle's contributions but he has been dodging us. We want the money or else we will keep the body here," said Tonu.

The scene attracted hundreds of residents who were left in shock as the family and friends kept watch of the hotel waiting for Waweru to show up.

"His wife showed up and we instructed her to tell her husband to show up for us to discuss our demands. Both of them are nowhere to be seen an hour later," said Tonu.

He said that they would only bury Ogendi once the family received the money from the chairperson.

"He has left behind children who need the money for their upkeep. We are ready to bury the body tomorrow should the money be paid or a commitment to pay made," said Tonu.

Patrick Kisangi, a member of the merry-go-round revealed that they were in the process of recovering their contributions amounting to over Sh4 million from Waweru.

"Individual contributions were varied. Our initial goal was to buy land and subdivide it among ourselves but the group collapsed last year. Waweru has declined to refund us," said Kisangi.

He explained that the late Ogendi had made contributions amounting to Sh600,000 but had been partly paid after a struggle with their leader.

"Ogendi was given Sh100,000 and boda boda valued at around Sh100,000. He was still pursuing the Sh400,000 balance. We are planning to pursue the matter as a civil case," said Kisangi.