Kenyan Woman (93) Buried 17 Years Later Over Land Dispute
A Kenyan family has finally buried the remains of its matriarch after almost two decades of a legal battle over a land dispute.
Esther Nzakwa died on August 31, 2004. She was 93 years old. The body has been lying at Machakos Funeral Home mortuary for 17 years.
Her son, Michael Musau, said they are happy because they have finally laid their mother to rest. He said on Saturday:
Today we are burying our beloved mother who has been in the mortuary for 17 years. I thank all who have assisted us to bring her home. I think most of our siblings, including myself, now feel relieved.
Nzakwa’s body was interred on Saturday at Musau’s compound in Mbuani village, Kola, Machakos county.
Katanga assistant chief Josphat Kyungu told reporters that the case was taken to court by Musau. He said:
The woman’s last born son [Musau] took the case to court demanding that his mother be buried next to their father’s grave. Their father had three wives. The siblings have been battling in court over the issue.
Three armed AP officers escorted the family from the mortuary to the gravesite. The officers stood guard during the burial that took less than an hour in compliance with the government’s COVID-19 protocols.
There was no viewing of the body and speeches were limited to save time.
