What began as a solemn final journey for a deceased loved one ended in a horrifying incident that left a family in Malava, Kakamega County, devastated and shocked.
Traditionally, many families choose hearses to transport the bodies of their loved ones to their final resting places because they offer dignity, safety, and respect. However, cultural practices and financial considerations sometimes lead families to use alternative means of transportation. In this case, a family opted to transport the body of their departed relative on a boda boda, a decision that would soon take a tragic turn.
The deceased’s body had been placed inside a coffin and was being ferried toward Malava when disaster struck along the way. According to reports, the motorcycle carrying the coffin was involved in a collision with a lorry, bringing the journey to an abrupt and heartbreaking halt.
Witnesses said the impact of the crash was so severe that the coffin was thrown from the motorcycle and smashed upon hitting the ground. In a scene that stunned residents and motorists alike, the coffin burst open, exposing the body and causing panic among onlookers.
“The body of the deceased, which was being transported to Malava, Kakamega County, has been taken back to the mortuary after the motorcycle carrying it was involved in an accident. The coffin carrying the body fell and broke badly, reportedly leaving the body severely damaged,” read a social media post that quickly went viral.
Photos circulating online captured the aftermath of the accident, showing concerned residents gathering at the scene to assist. Some attempted to salvage the badly damaged coffin, tying its broken sections together with ropes in a desperate effort to secure the remains. However, the destruction was extensive, particularly on the upper section of the coffin, making roadside repairs nearly impossible.
The deceased’s body, covered respectfully with a white sheet, was later placed back into the damaged coffin as villagers and passersby worked together to manage the distressing situation. Eventually, alternative transport had to be arranged after it became clear that the motorcycle could no longer complete the journey.
Additional images from the scene showed the body being loaded onto a lorry, which was used to transport it away from the accident site. Family members, who had already been grappling with the pain of losing a loved one, were left struggling to comprehend the tragic chain of events that unfolded during what was supposed to be a peaceful farewell.
Authorities did not immediately release details regarding the cause of the collision or whether anyone else sustained injuries. Meanwhile, the deceased’s body was reportedly returned to the mortuary as arrangements were made for another burial plan.
The shocking incident has sparked widespread debate on social media about the safety of transporting human remains on motorcycles, with many Kenyans expressing sympathy for the grieving family while calling for safer and more dignified methods of transportation during funeral processions.
For the family at the centre of the tragedy, what was meant to be a final journey of honour and respect became a nightmare they will not soon forget.
