Shock as Kirinyaga village residents resort to burying kin in sacks to cut expenses

"We only buy a sack for Ksh50 and bury the person and it only takes us only 20 minutes," Ngugi said.

In the latest incident on Tuesday, one Njeru Ndiga, 30, was going to be buried in a sack before Tebere MCA-elect Peter Karinga intervened and bought a coffin.

"For us in Ndindiruku, it's normal for those who have not joined burial welfare groups (to be buried in sacks); the other day it took me 10 minutes to bury an elderly man after his family failed to meet burial expenses," a resident, Alexander Nzomo, said

Karinga urged villagers to join burial welfare groups.

"Dead people must be handled with dignity and respect," Karinga said.

Church leaders in the area, led by David Ngugi of Akorino, encouraged residents to dispose of dead bodies with respect.

"I came here to witness what I was told by the villagers after the MCA intervened," Ngugi said.

Njeru died after an attack by a crocodile.