A bizarre incident occurred in Masawane village in Kangundo sub-county, Machakos County, when bodaboda riders took over a burial ceremony of their colleague and even forced the deceased to smoke and drink.

Leonard Mutua, alias Mapetko, died in a tragic head-on collision involving two motorcycles and his spiralled into a bizarre cult-like spectacle. 

Bodaboda riders stormed the ceremony, sidelined grieving family members and clergy and took control of the burial rites.

After the church service, a convoy of riders escorted the procession, bringing Tala town to a standstill. 

They began by stopping at the scene of the accident at Kalkiviama bridge between Tala and Kangundo.

Mutua’s father said it was at this point that it became apparent to family and other mourners that something was not right. 

The father said the riders became rowdy and started making some unusual signs using their hands.

“They started making some signs. There was a woman. I saw her over there; she was making some signs with her hands. There was a motorcycle that was with us. It stopped, it turned around, and it looked at Tala, where we had come from. And some people climbed onto the motorcycle,” the father said.

Riders Take Over Ceremony

The procession proceeded to Masawani village for the burial ceremony.

The father narrated that the riders rejected the casket table and opted to place it on two motorcycles.

He stated that they allowed the service to continue for a short time before taking over.

Consequently, the father said they were chased away alongside church leaders.

“When we came home, they linked two motorcycles so that the casket could be put inside. They rejected the funeral table, and the casket was placed on a motorcycle. That’s where the service began and continued for a little while. When it was over, the men got up and took the body,” he said.

“They started making noise, and some took off their shirts. They sent everyone away, including the pastors, the parents like me, my wife and relatives.”

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Bodaboda Force Deceased to Drink and Smoke

He said the riders started smoking bhang and drinking alcohol while conducting the burial.

The bodaboda riders poured alcohol on the deceased’s body and even forced the corpse to appear as if it were smoking.

“They started smoking bhang, opened the casket and started pouring alcohol on him. They even gave him bhang. I don’t know if the body was smoking bhang or drinking alcohol. They know better,” he said.

“They brought a motorcycle; they made rounds and threw sand inside the grave.”

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Machakos Security Officers Warning

Local authorities and the church have come out to strongly condemn the bizarre act.

“What happened will not happen again in our area. If the youth have a problem, they can come and tell their problems to the authorities. But it will be like that,” said the area Chief.

The relatives have asked the government to intervene and stop such acts.

Mutua’s father said he was not allowed to lay him to rest according to the traditions and spiritual demands of their community.

“As a parent, I felt very sad, because I was supposed to bury my child as it should be. But I didn’t do this because I didn’t even give him the respect he deserves; I was cut off,” he said.

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