Drama unfolded in Voi, Taita Taveta County, on the evening of Monday, April 28, 2025, when the extended family of a local pastor exhumed his body from a grave where it had been hastily buried by his wife. Pastor Edward Maghanga passed away under unclear circumstances, and his wife, citing her husband’s wishes, claimed that he had asked to be buried immediately after death.
However, the extended family, particularly members from his maternal side in Mwakitau, Mwatate Constituency, were suspicious of the quick burial. They were not convinced that the sudden decision to bury him without prior consultation was in line with the pastor’s final wishes. The family raised concerns that something was amiss and suspected foul play. Their skepticism led them to pursue legal action, and they sought to have the matter addressed in court.
On the day the court was expected to give a ruling on the issue, the extended family arrived at the courthouse, only to find out that the ruling was to be delivered virtually. The news was a blow to the relatives, especially those who had gathered in the courtroom in anticipation of the decision. The frustration of the family was palpable, and it fueled their belief that they were being denied justice or the proper due process.
In response to the ongoing tension, and perhaps feeling that the court process was not moving quickly enough, the deceased’s mother, Hannah Maghanga, took matters into her own hands. Outraged by the developments, she ordered that her son’s body be exhumed. Led by Hannah and accompanied by other relatives, the family proceeded to the burial site in Vindo village, where they unearthed the body of Pastor Maghanga.
The act of exhuming the body created further drama and shock within the village, as it was an unusual and highly emotional act for family members to undertake. The extended family insisted that they had the right to ensure that the burial had been done according to the deceased’s true wishes, and that no foul play had occurred. This act raised questions among locals, and some wondered whether the wife had acted alone or if other factors had contributed to the decision to hastily bury the pastor.
The situation has sparked a series of debates within the community, with some siding with the wife, believing she was following the late pastor’s wishes, while others support the extended family, arguing that proper procedures for handling the body should have been followed. The incident has drawn attention not only for the drama it has caused but also for raising awareness about the sometimes complex family dynamics and tensions that can arise after the death of a loved one.
In the wake of the exhumation, legal and familial battles are likely to continue, with both sides of the dispute seeking to ensure that the pastor’s legacy is respected and that justice is served. As the community watches the developments unfold, it remains to be seen how the courts will ultimately rule on the matter, and whether peace can be restored to the grieving family.
