Family members of a deceased woman were, at the weekend, engaged in a tussle with her husband’s family at her funeral in Embu. They barred her husband’s family from burying her until dowry was paid in full. The family of the late Jackline Wanja stopped her burial at Njukiri village in Embu West district. They arrived at the funeral at 1pm and found that burial was already in progress.
Immediately after their arrival they threatened their in-laws that dire consequences would ensue if the burial went on before her husband paid dowry in full.
According to Embu traditions a woman is not supposed to be buried in her husband’s or father- in-law’s land if dowry has not been fully paid. As the two families conflicted, mourners were forced to flee the home. The situation was only saved by an armed administration police officer who arbitrated between the two families.
It was not established whether dowry was later paid or not. Sources at the funeral said the family of the deceased, who allegedly collapsed and died a week ago, had avoided the burial arrangements. They had vowed not to allow her husband’s family to bury her remains unless he cleared payment of dowry. But the man’s family had not acceded to their demands by the time of her burial. This is when her family decided to act tough by preventing their in-laws from burying her.
Source: NAIROBI STAR
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