- Leonard Muema’s funeral in Kangundo turned chaotic after youths stormed the burial.
- Boda boda riders took over the procession, performed unusual rituals, and played loud music.
- The family says drugs and alcohol were placed in the casket, barring the minister from presiding.
- Local leaders, including the area MP, condemned the incident as shameful and un-African.
- The family is demanding action and guidelines to prevent such acts in the future.
What was meant to be a respectful and emotional sendoff for 24-year-old Leonard Mutua Muema, known by many as Mapetco, turned into a chaotic and painful event. His family, from Masewani Village in Kangundo, is still in shock after a group of unruly youths and boda boda riders completely took control of the burial on Saturday.
Muema died in a motorcycle crash at Kathithyamaa Bridge between Tala and Kangundo. He and another rider reportedly passed away on the spot. While the family was still mourning the sudden loss, the burial day brought a second wave of pain, not from death—but from disrespect.
The body was collected from Machakos mortuary and escorted by a huge convoy of boda boda riders. But the journey was anything but peaceful. Eyewitnesses said the group blocked roads, blasted music, and caused major traffic. The convoy even paused at the accident scene for unknown rituals before reaching Masewani.
Mathew Munyaka, the family’s secretary, said the event turned disturbing when rituals that the family didn’t recognise started. Loud music, alcohol, and bhang were involved.
“This wasn’t just disrespect. It broke our hearts. Funerals should bring dignity, not disgrace,” Munyaka said, urging the government to protect mourning families from such disruptions.
According to Assistant Chief Consolata Ndunge, the burial began well but was quickly hijacked by the crowd. Over 3,000 youths stormed the gravesite, opened the casket, and placed beer and bhang inside.
“It was shocking. The family was left broken,” she said, adding that such acts would not be allowed again in Kangundo.
Matungulu MP Stephen Mule strongly condemned what happened, calling it a total shame.
“This behaviour is not African. It’s not Christian. It’s morally wrong, and it can’t continue,” he stated.
Pastor Stephen Lai, who was part of the funeral, said the scene was spiritually disturbing. He described how the road was blocked and rituals were done without family consent.
Leonard’s father, Eric Muema, painfully narrated how the family was pushed aside.
“They carried the coffin on their shoulders, refused to use a trolley, and blocked even the pastor. We just watched helplessly,” he said.
The most painful part? The minister could not perform the final prayers. Instead, strange rites were performed, and items like beer and cigarettes were thrown into the grave.
Zenna Kambua, Leonard’s eldest sister, said they were denied a chance to grieve properly.
“We had to hide in the house. We don’t even know how or when he was buried,” she shared in pain.
The Muema family and local leaders are now calling for serious action from the government. They want clear rules to ensure funerals remain sacred and that families don’t suffer such trauma again.
Instead of closure, the family walked away from Leonard’s burial with heavier hearts. The funeral, meant to bring healing, left behind pain, shame, and unanswered questions.
