Cha-cha
What began as a routine body collection turned into a full-blown family showdown at the Kirinyaga County Mortuary on Thursday morning, when two women—both claiming to be the rightful widow—arrived with ten children in tow, each group demanding sole authority over the burial of one man: the late Mzee Patrick Waweru, a 63-year-old businessman.
Eyewitnesses describe scenes straight out of a Nollywood film. Shouting matches, tearful accusations, and threats of curses erupted in the hospital compound, drawing a crowd of stunned onlookers and forcing police officers to intervene.
“He is my husband of 30 years! These children are mine!” cried Margaret Wanjiru, clutching a worn-out marriage certificate. On the other side, 45-year-old Beatrice Njoki waved a burial permit and retorted, “He left everything to me and our five children in his will!”
Tension boiled over when both parties attempted to seize the coffin, nearly toppling it over in the scuffle. Mortuary staff were forced to lock the body back inside the cold room as police tried to mediate.
According to sources close to the family, Mzee Waweru led a double life for decades, maintaining two homes without either woman fully aware of the other until his sudden death from a heart attack last week.
“Even in death, he’s still giving us problems,” muttered one of the deceased’s sons.
Local leaders are calling for calm and encouraging the family to resolve the matter in court. Meanwhile, the body of Mzee Waweru remains in limbo—waiting not just for burial, but for peace.
Wamuzi News Ke
