The family of Mzee Tom Nzoka has announced that it mistakenly buried the wrong body following an alleged mix-up at Kibwezi Funeral Home.
In a statement on July 29, family spokesman and Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Masongaleni Ward, Makueni, Bryan Nzoka, said the error was discovered after the burial had already taken place.
“I wish to inform the general public that, as a matter of public interest, the family of the late patriarch, Mzee Tom Nzoka, has established this morning that we mistakenly identified his body on the day it was collected from the morgue,” read part of the announcement.
MCA Bryan Nzoka Narrates How the Mix Up Happened
According to the MCA, the mix up occurred at Kibwezi Funeral Home, where mortuary attendants allegedly released the wrong body to the family.
He said the body had been viewed at the mortuary by family members, clergy, and neighbours before it was collected, but none realized it belonged to another deceased person.
Nzoka said the family only established the mistake after the burial, having mistakenly identified the body on the day it was collected from the morgue.
He attributed the incident to an error by mortuary attendants and expressed regret over the distress caused to both families.
The affected families are now jointly seeking a court order to exhume the wrongly interred body before Mzee Tom Nzoka’s remains can be released for burial.
MCA said the family plans to hold a private burial for Mzee Tom Nzoka at his home in Nzembete Village, Ngwata Location, Masongaleni Ward, once the legal process is completed.
He appealed to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and allow the families space to resolve the matter through the legal process.
Also Read: Man Behind Mbukinya Buses, Paul Mburu Kinyanjui, Dies
Funeral Programme Before the Burial of Mzee Nzoka
According to the funeral programme, Mzee Tom, popularly known as Ee Nzoka, died on July 18, 2026, at the age of 96.
His family had scheduled his burial for Monday, July 27, in Nzembete Village, Ngwata Location, Masongaleni Ward, Kibwezi East Constituency, Makueni County.
The programme indicated that mourners were to gather at Kibwezi Funeral Home at 8:00 a.m., followed by a public viewing and departure at 9:00 a.m. The cortege was expected to arrive at Mzee Nzoka’s residence at 9:30 a.m., with guests arriving from 10:00 a.m. before the funeral service began at 11:30 a.m.
The family described the late Mzee as a man whose life was marked by wisdom, strength and legacy, and thanked relatives, friends and well-wishers for their prayers and support during the mourning period.
Also Read: Who Was Carole Argwings-Kodhek? Daughter of Kenya’s First African Lawyer Dies at 72
Appreciation Message
On July 28, Bryan went ahead to expressgratitude, thanking relatives, friends, neighbours, clergy and well-wishers who supported the family throughout the funeral arrangements and attended the burial.
“On behalf of the entire family, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood with us as we laid our beloved patriarch, Mzee Tom Nzoka, to rest,” he said in a statement.
The MCA said the family appreciated everyone who contributed their time, resources and prayers to ensure Mzee Tom received a befitting send-off, adding that the support and solidarity shown during the difficult period would not be forgotten.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
