Why I declined to return soil to grave - Woman assaulted in Nyamira burial speaks

Widow being forced to throw soil in estranged husband's grave. /SCREENGRAB

A widow who was filmed being assaulted during the burial of her estranged husband in Nyamira over the weekend has broken her silence.

The woman acknowledged that her marriage was troubled, stating that they were no longer living together with the deceased at the time of his demise.

She maintained that she always showed her husband respect, even during difficult times.

“We had a troubled marriage, but I always showed my husband respect,” she said in a video clip seen by the Star.

In the undated footage, several men are seen forcing the woman to throw a handful of soil into the grave as a farewell to the deceased, but she resists, prompting the men to whip her.

During her interview, the woman explained that she was attacked after declining to throw soil into the grave as the family members of the deceased demanded.

“I had been warned earlier by someone that if I threw soil into the grave, I would not be able to move on with my life,” she said.

“My children are young. I'm equally young,” she added.

The woman noted that when she declined to throw soil into the grave, some mourners started to claim she was responsible for her husband’s death.

“I told them there were pastors around, and I was ready to swear by the Bible, but they could hear none of that,” she said.

Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the assault.

The National Police Service said it noted with concern the emergence of a disturbing video circulating on social media, which shows the woman being physically assaulted at a burial ceremony.

“This incident is not only unfortunate but also deeply regrettable, as it is devoid of civility and basic human dignity,” police said in a statement.

NPS said that the incident occurred on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Kiambere area, Mwongorisi Sublocation of Nyamira county.

“The victim has since been located, and three suspects were swiftly arrested. They remain in custody, pending processing and arraignment. We wish to thank members of the public for providing crucial information, which led to these arrests,” the NPS said.

The DCI said in a separate statement that the woman, who had been married to her late ex-husband for over nine years, found herself caught in a troubling family dispute.

After separating from her ex-husband and losing touch for years, she was contacted by her mother-in-law and asked to bring her children to their father’s funeral following his tragic death in a road accident.

Reports indicated that when she sent her cousin to take the children to the gravesite, family members from her husband's side demanded that she must be present and bid farewell to her late husband by throwing soil into his gave.