I’m A Luo From Siaya And I Know The Man Was Buried Decently

CS Magoha has said that James Oyugi, the Siaya man who was buried yesterday was given a very organized and good send off and that everyone was consulted.

Magoha was responding to claims by Kenyans that the man was buried like a dog and family members were not given enough time to examine the cause of death.

The educations CS said that the burial was done to protect close family members and the general public.

“Am a Luo from Siaya and am saying that what was done (how burial was conducted)was in order based on our goals.” Prof. Magoha

The burial in Siaya for a COVID-19 victim sparked public outcry, with locals and Kenyans across the country accusing the authorities of fuelling stigma.

The man, a local from Ukwala, identified as James Oyugi, 59 years is said to have succumbed at a local hospital and his body taken to his rural home for burial by public health officials.

Police said he had an accident on April 6, and was taken to hospital where he is said to have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Police officers who responded to the accident scene and a mechanic who had repaired his vehicle are among people in quarantine, along with his family members.

His body was covered in a white body bag without a coffin and was transported home in a pick-up truck with two public health officials who were dressed in white protective clothes.

A video and photos circulated Sunday night showed the pick up arriving at the family home, and parked next to a shallow grave where the body was tossed as family members wailed.

On Monday, Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga said he had appointed a 3-member team to investigate the ‘inhumane’ burial.

Rasanga said the team will be headed by the County Police Commander Francis Kooli and CECM Governance Dismas Wakla.

He said he is keen to establish who issued the directives that the deceased be interred inhumanly in a haste, against the family wishes.

Rasanga say the decision was arrived at without consulting his committee and they were only informed of the matter at 4pm on Sunday.

In a press statement today CS Magoha said that all that will constinue to happen as long as the lives of sevral Kenyans are protected.

“We will continue with all that, we will not beg people to follow instructions. We will bury the dead and take serious precaution.