Three arrested for beating widow who refused to bury her husband

Nyamira South Police Commander Martin Wambugu confirmed the arrest of the three whom he said will be paraded on Tuesday morning for identification by the victim.

Wambugu said the incident happened on Friday in the Nyabisimba area during a funeral ceremony for a man believed to be the husband of the woman who was being assaulted during the burial.

"The victim reported the matter at Kiambere Police Station, and we have already caught up with three of the main players in the incident that involved many others whom we are looking for," Wambugu said.

 The Commander said the victim was injured during the attack, but he could not specify the extent of the injuries.

The police action came after a video of the widow being whipped mercilessly by people believed to be her in-laws after she refused to perform a customary rite associated with the burial of a husband went viral.

It is a widespread cultural practice among Abagusii people that when a widow or widower is burying their loved one, they should grab the soil that has been freshly excavated from the grave and throw it on the coffin bearing the body after it has been lowered.

According to the videos of the incident that have since gone viral in the social media, the woman had separated from the deceased husband and they were living apart until his death.

She returned her matrimonial home purposely to allow her children to bury their dad when the village turned against her after she raised demands over family properties.

According to police, the deceased died in a self-inflicted road crash in mid-March. Leaders from across the country have condemned the incident, which they termed unacceptable and backwards.

Nyamira Woman MP Jerusha Momanyi said police should move with speed to ensure justice is served to the woman.

"In modern society we cannot expect a woman to be treated in such manners. It's backwards and unacceptable," the MP said.