The deceased, Saumu Luvuno, passed away on March 7 after a prolonged illness of over two years. Her devoted daughter, Nyevu Jefa, initially took her mother’s body to a mortuary in Makadara for safekeeping.
However, Nyevu claims that her mother’s estranged husband later moved the body to another mortuary in Kilifi without her knowledge or permission.
Nyevu described the moment her family discovered the disappearance of the body as chaotic and heartbreaking. “I have been caring for my mother throughout her illness. When she died, I brought her to the mortuary.
Later, my documents – including my national ID, passport, and burial permit – went missing. Then we discovered the body had been moved,” she explained.
According to Nyevu, the man colluded with a mortuary attendant to take the body, ignoring the family’s rights and cultural customs.
Saumu’s sister, Mwajuma Kombo, emphasized that the estranged husband had never fulfilled traditional obligations such as paying dowry, which traditionally grants burial rights.
“He approached us days after the death demanding the body, but the responsibility to bury her lies with us,” she said.
The family has reported the incident to Tononoka Police Station, while human rights defender Julius Gogo, assisting them, confirmed that the mortuary staff have been instructed not to release the body while the matter is under investigation. The family is now seeking the return of Saumu’s body and legal action against all involved in the alleged theft.
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