Khuluchere village in Butere Sub-County, Kakamega County, was the scene of dramatic events on Monday when a planned burial was derailed over a land ownership dispute. A family intending to lay their loved one to rest was forced to return the body to the mortuary after failing to provide the necessary land ownership documents.
The incident, which occurred in Marama South Ward, involved the family of the late Jason Owade. Led by Margaret Malika and Henry Malika, the family revealed they were denied a burial permit by the area chief’s office due to a lack of valid land ownership documents. Without these, obtaining permission for burial was impossible.
“The family arrived without the necessary documents, which forced them to return the body to the mortuary at Butere Private Hospital,” stated a local official.
The late Jason Owade reportedly lived alone on the disputed land after losing all eight of his children, leaving behind only one daughter who is now married. His family argues that the land was his rightful home and burial site, despite the absence of a formal title deed.
The family has since called on the government to intervene and help resolve the issue. “We are seeking assistance to secure the land title so we can give our relative a dignified burial. The grave remains unoccupied as we await a solution,” said a grieving family member.
The standoff underscores the broader challenges surrounding land ownership and inheritance in rural Kenya, where documentation disputes frequently lead to conflicts, even in matters as sensitive as burial rites.
Area Assistant Chief Stephen Tooso declined to comment on the matter, citing the need for approval from his superiors.
As the family awaits resolution, the body of the deceased remains in the Butere Private Hospital mortuary, with no clear timeline for the burial. This incident highlights the need for streamlined processes to address land disputes, especially in cases involving deeply personal and cultural matters like funerals.
