Racheal Wandeto burial stopped over court order

Confusion and disbelief engulfed Kerugoya Stadium in Kirinyaga County on Thursday as mourners, relatives, and local leaders gathered for the burial of Racheal Muthoni Wandeto, only to be informed that the ceremony had been halted following a court order.

The body of Wandeto had been expected to arrive from Montezuma Funeral Home in Kabati ahead of the burial at Kabumbu village. However, mourners were later told that the interment would not proceed after the deceased’s husband, Peter Njaramba Njeri, obtained a court order stopping the burial. The announcement sparked shock among residents, many of whom had waited at the stadium since morning.

Akorino bishops who had gathered at the venue remained on site, singing hymns and occasionally breaking into song and dance as they continued to wait for the arrival of the body.

Wandeto had recently drawn public attention after tattooing an image of President William Ruto. Following her death, President Ruto reportedly sent Ksh 1.6 million to the family to support burial arrangements. The funds were delivered by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, and Kelvin Kogi.

It remains unclear why Njeri, with whom Wandeto had two children, moved to court to block the burial. Both are reported to hail from Murang’a County.

“It is a great loss. We have been in this stadium since morning,” said Bernard Mwangi, a neighbour.

Other relatives expressed shock at the turn of events. “We never expected this. We were expecting the husband and the two children to be here, especially after we gave him Ksh 70,000 for transport yesterday,” one relative said.

A member of the burial committee said the husband had previously appeared to agree on burial arrangements. “The man was here with Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha and agreed there would be no court battles. We are wondering what changed,” the official said.

As uncertainty lingered, some mourners said they would proceed to Kabumbu village for prayers before deciding on their next course of action. “We will go there and decide what to do next,” one attendee said.