Drama unfolded in Rongo on Friday after a family attempted to exhume the body of a deceased GSU officer buried at a local church without obtaining a court order, sparking a confrontation with police.
The officer, who died on March 27, 2025, was laid to rest the following day within the compound of a church in the area. His burial has since sparked a dispute between his family and his widow.
According to a police report, the officer was in the company of his wife en route to the church when he suddenly passed away. The wife later secured a burial permit from the provincial administration, authorizing the interment in accordance with the church’s doctrine.
However, the family of the deceased claims they were not consulted during the burial arrangements and objected to the choice of the burial site. On Friday, they stormed the church compound in an attempt to exhume the body, leading to a standoff with police officers who had to intervene to prevent chaos.
The situation escalated into running battles between the family members and law enforcement officers as the family insisted on reclaiming their kin for reburial elsewhere.
Area authorities have condemned the act, urging aggrieved parties to seek redress through legal channels instead of taking matters into their own hands.The standoff has thrown a spotlight on growing concerns over burial rights and the need for clear, inclusive consultation in funeral arrangements, especially when disputes arise between spouses and extended family members.
Police are currently investigating the matter and have warned against any future attempts to exhume the body without a court’s directive.
