Drama erupts as two families clash over the burial of mother

James Manyasa, husband to the deceased differed with his stepson Chrispinus Manyendo on where she should be buried. [Bernard Lusigi, Standard]

Two families in Shanjero and Shibuye villages in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, have clashed over the burial of a woman both claim as their daughter-in-law.

Magdalene Manyengo died two weeks ago at her home in Shibuye, where she was married after leaving her first marriage in the neighbouring Shanjero village.

On Thursday, both families gathered at St Mary’s Mukumu Mission Hospital to collect the body for burial, leading to chaos at the facility.

This is after the sons from her first marriage maintained their right to bury their mother, while her current husband insisted that he should be the one to give her a final send-off as her spouse.

The drama escalated, prompting the burial committee and both families to postpone the collection of the body and the burial of the deceased.

Magdalene was first married to Vincent Manyengo, with whom she had four sons, before leaving that marriage to marry James Manyasa, with whom she had two daughters and lived for 29 years.

According to Chrispinus Manyengo, the deceased’s son from her first marriage, they believed they had the rightful claim to bury their mother since their late father had paid the dowry.

“According to our cultural practices, my father had already paid the dowry to our mother’s family, and our in-laws have given us the green light to bury her because they recognise that she was rightfully married to my father,” stated Manyengo. He added, “Since our mother married for a second time, her husband has never paid dowry as required, and it was only upon her death that he finally paid it.

However, Munyasa, the deceased husband, and his two daughters insisted that they took care of her for 29 years and, as a result, have the right to bury her.

He emphasised that he has stood by his wife through challenges and believes it is only fair for him to bury her.

“I have been the one treating and caring for my wife throughout her illness. Her children from the first marriage only came in to help clear the hospital bill, but then they changed their stance and demanded to bury her instead of me, which led to the standoff,” Manyasa explained.

Area Assistant Chief Valentine Lukeya confirmed the incident and expressed hope for an amicable solution.