A funeral in Luandeti, Kakamega County, ended in chaos after mourners turned against a pastor who they said disrespected cultural traditions and cursed family members.
The drama began when the pastor reportedly blocked the father of the deceased, Joseph Wafula, from giving a tribute. Instead, he allowed a widowed woman to speak first. This move angered mourners, who said that in their culture, a parent must speak before any in-law. “I disagreed with him, but he insisted. That’s when people stood up and opposed him,” said Wafula.
Things got worse when the pastor allegedly stood on the grave and began cursing the family. Witnesses say this act deeply offended the mourners. “He stood right on the grave and cursed us. That’s when we decided enough was enough,” said a female mourner.
Several attendees said this was not the first time the pastor had behaved this way at funerals. They accused him of acting like a dictator and ignoring the family’s customs.
As tensions rose, mourners forced the pastor to leave the ceremony. The family later chose to continue the burial without church involvement.
This incident highlights the importance of respecting cultural traditions during sensitive events like funerals. Many families in rural Kenya still hold strong to these practices, and any disrespect is often met with resistance.
As the community heals from this incident, leaders are urging churches to work more closely with families to avoid future clashes.
By Kenyans