Confusion as Kisii man believed to have been dead and buried resurfaces in Nairobi

Residents of in Nyaboterere village in Bobasi, Kisii County, are in shock after a man they thought was dead and buried resurfaced in Nairobi.

28-year-old Meshack Ondabu, who was a boda boda rider before his presumed death, is said to have been laid to rest a month ago; however, through a video call, he confirmed that he is still very much alive.

Reports by his kinsmen in Kisii said that Ondabu abruptly went missing about two months ago.

After weeks of conducting a search in vain, the family came across a body they presumed to be his at the Nairobi City Mortuary.

The man’s wife, who works in Saudi Arabia, reportedly even flew into the country and confirmed that the body was indeed that of her husband.

In a bid to offer the perceived deceased a decent send-off, family and friends held a fundraising and the body was transported to Bobasi for burial.

In line with the Abagusii traditions, his belongings including his clothes were burnt after the burial and his wife went back to Saudi Arabia.

Following the new turnout of events, elders who spoke to Citizen Digital say that Ondabu cannot be allowed back to the village without a thorough ritual ceremony, which will include the slaughtering of a sheep, exhumation as well as other cleansing rituals.

Traditional rites will then follow, including total destruction of his home before he steps back into the village.

Currently, residents have commenced yet another funds drive to aid the exhumation of the body they buried, which will then be taken back to the Nairobi City Mortuary.

Nyamache OCPD Kipkemoi Kipkulei who confirmed the incident said they’re still waiting for direction from their colleagues in Nairobi before they give a go-ahead to the family for the body to be exhumed.