A woman assaulted during the burial of her estranged husband in Nyamira County has spoken about the humiliating ordeal that also left her nursing serious injuries.
Mellen Mogaka was assaulted and humiliated after she refused to perform a burial ritual — pouring a handful of soil into the grave — during the burial of her estranged husband, Joseph Osoro, in Kiambere area, Mwongorisi, on March 21, 2025.
The ex-husband, a bodaboda rider, had died in a road accident.
Speaking about the ordeal for the first time, Mellen narrated the events leading up to the assault.
Mellen revealed that before the assault happened on March 21, she had been locked inside a room with the body of her former husband.
"I live in Narok, but I had travelled to Nyamira County to attend the burial of my estranged husband. On the eve of the burial, I was locked in a room with the coffin of my former husband, where I spent the night," she told the Nation.
"The following day, again when the time for the final rites came, despite my resistance, my former in-laws forcibly dragged me, demanding that I must participate in the ritual during the burial.
I attempted to resist, but I was assaulted and beaten by a group of men who insisted I should throw a handful of soil into the grave as a sign of goodwill to the deceased," she added.
Mellen Mogaka, who was assaulted in Nyamira, during the burial of her ex-husband, speaks out about the ordeal at her home in Narok town, on March 24, 2025.
Photo credit: Toby Meso | Nation Media Group
"I was kicked, beaten, and even my shoes were thrown and buried with the body," she narrated.
According to Abagusii traditions and customs, the burial ritual symbolises a widow’s final farewell and goodwill to her deceased spouse.
Some cultural beliefs also suggest that such acts bind the widow to her late husband, preventing her from remarrying.
"I resisted and tried to run to a nearby tea plantation, but the men followed me and aggressively pulled and lifted me, and in the process, they roughed me up. I sustained several injuries during the ordeal. I don’t know why they decided to harass me," she explained.
She said she first sent her cousin to take the children to the gravesite to witness the final rites of their father, but instead, family members from her former husband's side started forcing her to participate in the exercise.
"They confronted me and demanded that I must pour soil into the grave as part of burial customs. They demanded that I perform the burial ritual, which they said symbolises a widow’s final farewell and goodwill to her deceased spouse," she revealed.
"Upon refusing, I was physically assaulted, with some accusing me of being responsible for my former husband's death," she said.
Mellen revealed that before her estranged husband's death, they had separated and were not living together.
"I attended the burial so that my children could pay their last respects to their late father. I didn’t know my estranged husband's family wanted to harm me," she explained.
What was supposed to be a solemn occasion for the deceased turned into a scene of drama as Mellen was assaulted and screamed in distress.
Mellen's father, Nehemiah Mogaka, also suffered violence during the incident.
However, no action was taken until Monday when the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, intervened.
A member of the public captured the video clip, which circulated and went viral on social media.
The video sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many expressing disgust at the inhumane treatment she was made to endure.
In the undated footage that went viral on social media, Kenyans were appalled after they watched a young woman being forced by several men to throw a handful of soil into the grave of her husband as a farewell to the deceased.
In the video, the woman — later identified as Mellen — is seen resisting, prompting the men to whip her at the graveside.
A few people present at the scene can be heard shouting and giving different opinions, with some asking for her to be left alone while others helped the men to assault the woman further.
Other onlookers screamed as the incident unfolded, yet no one stepped forward to rescue her.
Following public uproar over the incident, police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assault.
On Monday evening, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja condemned the incident, revealing that detectives have arrested some of the main suspects and are hunting down their accomplices.
"I strongly condemn the appalling incident in Nyamira, where a woman was subjected to a brutal assault and coerced into rituals during the burial of her husband.
Law enforcement is thoroughly reviewing all evidence and perpetrators of this heinous act will face the full force of the law. Kenya stands firmly against gender-based violence, and we will ensure justice for the victim," stated Mr Kanja in a statement.
“This incident is not only unfortunate but also deeply regrettable, as it is devoid of civility and basic human dignity. 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,” added the police boss.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Amin Mohammed also confirmed the arrest of the three suspects identified as Lameck Osoro, Robert Sarudi, and Bismark Sarudi.
DCI Amin revealed 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 — only to be assaulted during the burial ceremony.
Surprisingly, despite the widespread condemnation, some Gusii elders have defended the attack, stating that Mellen’s refusal to partake in the burial ritual was the cause.
“We cannot say this is about human rights. This is about culture and traditions, and people should respect their culture,” Obino Nyambane, a Gusii senior elder, said.
Another elder, Elijah Mosioma, said: "The woman should have just complied."
According to Sections 250 and 251 of the Penal Code, any person who unlawfully physically assaults another is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable for imprisonment of up to five years.
