Locals of Keiyo South in Elgeyo Marakwet were stunned by the funeral of an old man who was buried in a bamboo coffin.
Speaking to the press on Saturday, November 4, the son of the deceased revealed that his father was also buried naked.
In addition, he stated that the move was not a shock to close family members because his father, Joseph Kipchoge, loved the environment.
According to the son of the deceased, the coffin was inspired by the environmentally friendly bamboo casket that activist Wangari Maathai was buried in.
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Reasons for Man’s Demands
Further, Kipchoge’s son Paul added that the old man had issued demands to ensure that his body decomposed as fast as possible when he died.
Additionally, he explained that the man also wanted the Bamboo coffin because it allowed insects to get in and decomposed his body when it was still fresh.
“He told us that when he dies, it is very important that he has direct contact with the soil to help him decompose adding that the ants should feast on his body while still fresh,” stated Paul.
Notably, the deceased was born in 1940 and according to locals, he was never sick a day in his life.
“When we took the coffin from the mortuary, many people were shocked because it is something they have never seen before,” added Paul.
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Wangari Maathai Bamboo Casket
Professor Wangari Maathai’s body was cremated in a coffin made of bamboo frame, water hyacinth and papyrus reeds, at Uhuru Park’s freedom corner.
Additionally, the coffin was weaved by carpenters from the Kisumu Innovation Centre at Kibuye market. It was reported that her funeral committee considered the choice Eco-friendly because no entire tree was cut, and bamboo is the fastest growing tree on earth.