- Residents of Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, were left shocked after a man allegedly exhumed his wife’s body just two days after her burial
- Neighbours alerted local authorities after discovering the alleged exhumation, leading to the arrest of Paya and his son
- Police believe the incident may have stemmed from long-standing domestic disputes between the couple
Residents of Ndhiwa in Homa Bay County are still reeling from shock after a man and his son allegedly exhumed the body of his wife, Agnes Otieno Opiyo, just two days after she was laid to rest.
Source: Getty Images
Agnes was initially buried in her family compound on June 18 despite objections from her husband, Charles Paya, who wanted her buried elsewhere.
After his family refused to honour his wishes, Paya allowed the burial ceremony to proceed. However, two days later, he allegedly exhumed his wife’s body and reburied it in a maize plantation outside the compound, where he had originally wanted her buried.
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Paya’s actions caught the attention of neighbours, who alerted the village elder. The elder, together with the area chief, reported the matter to officers from Magina Police Station in Ndhiwa East Sub-county.
According to reports, Paya allegedly admitted to police that he exhumed the body and transferred it to another grave that he had originally prepared.
He also claimed that he was assisted by his son and brother.
Why did Homa Bay man exhume his wife’s body?
Police arrested the father and son and took them into custody as investigations into the incident commenced.
Officers handling the case also said they were pursuing further inquiries into the alleged role of the third suspect involved in the exhumation.
According to Ndhiwa Sub-county Police Commander John Losia, Paya’s decision could have been an act of retaliation stemming from long-standing domestic disagreements.
Losia said the couple had separated following a domestic dispute after Agnes, a businesswoman, built a permanent house at the family homestead.
“Their disputes continued until Agnes left her house and rented another one at the trading centre. After that, the husband married another wife and moved her into the house that Agnes had built,” Losia said.
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The incident landed Paya in police custody because disturbing or exhuming a buried body without a court order is an offence punishable under Kenyan law.
Netizens react after Homa Bay man allegedly exhumes wife’s body
Daniel Kabii:
“Exhuming is done by court order in the presence of medical personnel and the police. Charges: ‘Disturbing the dead’ and ‘Exhumation of a body without a court order.'”
Mukabi Petronilla:
“Nowadays, people don’t fear dead bodies. I wonder.”
Kipkoech Langat:
“I think the media is not reporting the whole story because the journalist did not investigate enough. What killed the wife? And did the man inform the authorities about the burial?”
Ro Owiti:
“Is it wrong to bury someone in a maize plantation? Dead bodies are meant to be buried, so why arrest them?”
Joe Walker:
“Wueeeh, mbona ifike hapa? Ama alikuwa anafikishiwa mwisho?”
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
