Shock and joy for mourners after ‘dead man resurrects’ in Embu

Mourners who arrived at a hospital in Embu to pay a mortuary bill and get a certificate of cause of death for a ‘dead’ man were shocked to find out that he was still alive.

Back at home in Magumori village, locals who had gathered to prepare for the man’s burial, which was set for today, were dumbfounded and relieved at the same time to learn that Stephen Kibuti was recuperating at the Embu Level Five Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The discovery ended week-long burial preparations that saw Sh50,000 raised to cover expenses.

Anglican Church of Kenya St John Mbita Parish had already provided a clergyman to conduct the funeral service; a eulogy had been printed, and tents and chairs delivered to the home.

A coffin was yet to be bought while the grave was to be dug today.

But as this was happening, 28-year-old Kibuti, who still lives with his parents, was fighting for his life less than 30km away.

According to the parents, it all started on Thursday last week when Kibuti, who had partied hard the previous night, was found at home unconscious and barely breathing.

His parents, James Nyaga and Faith Igoki, took him to Kiritiri Level Four Hospital where he was put on a drip. He remained under the watch of medics until 4pm when they recommended his transfer to a bigger hospital.

At the Embu Hospital, he was admitted in Ward 2, Bed 2 in critical condition. The following morning, Mr Nyaga went to visit his son but claims he found Bed 2 empty.

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Regained consciousness

“I searched but couldn’t find him. I inquired from a patient in the next bed who told me my son was wheeled away on a trolley. I believed he had died and was so shocked that I collapsed,” said Nyaga.

He said medics attended to him and when he regained consciousness, he was taken to Kiritiri bus park where he boarded a matatu for home.

Nyaga admits he never got formal acknowledgement from the hospital about his son’s ‘death’.

Embu Level Five Hospital CEO Daniel Mugendi blamed Nyaga for “not noticing that the patient was still in the same bed but covered with a blanket”. “The patient was in the bed all that time. The father never inquired from the nurse in charge. The patient was treated for effects of alcohol and is responding well to treatment,” said Dr Mugendi.

Mrs Igoki said when her husband arrived home, he was crestfallen and did not speak to anyone.

“When we pestered him further about my son’s condition, he started crying and we knew the worst had happened,” she said.

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Nyaga would later tell his family and neighbours that his son was dead.

A village committee that helps to raise funds when deaths occur was informed of the matter and burial preparations kicked off in earnest.

“I could not doubt the news since it was a father announcing that his son was dead. We started evening vigils and contributed money. We had raised Sh50,000 by the time we realised the man was alive. Sh10,000 had already been used for various expenses. We let the family keep the rest of the money,” said Mbita Welfare chairman Justus Njoroge.

Mr Njoroge said when they arrived at the hospital on Wednesday, the records officer searched for Kibuti’s file for hours. A nurse later informed them that he was alive and had just been given medication.

“We went and saw Kibuti, whose condition had improved. He could recognise people. But we did not tell him about what was happening,” he said.

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Senior Chief Josphat Nyaga said they believed Kibuti’s father when he said his son had died.

“I had prepared to visit the family on Wednesday evening when news came that the man was alive. I summoned the parents and welfare officials to explain what exactly happened. I’m sorry for what the family has gone through,” he said.