By Felix Njenga
Protracted Burial Dispute Over Late Mburu Kinani Nears Conclusion Six Months After His Death
A long-running family dispute over the final resting place of the late Mburu Kinani, who died six months ago, is inching toward resolution after a series of heated court proceedings.
The case, which has kept the 90-year-old patriarch’s body at AIC Kijabe Mission Hospital mortuary since November 20, 2024, is now set for final submissions on May 27, 2025.
Geoffrey Ng’ang’a, son of the deceased and one of the defendants in the case, dismissed allegations that he and his siblings have been attempting to disinherit members of their extended family.
Ng’ang’a told the court that the plaintiffs—who include Ides Wairimu, Joyce Muthoni, Hannah Wanjiku, and a grandson, Antony Kinani—had already been gifted land in Gilgil, which they subsequently sold.
The legal dispute centers on where Mburu Kinani should be buried.
The plaintiffs are seeking to have him laid to rest at his Gatanga homestead, where his first wife was buried, citing what they argue is Agikuyu customary law which traditionally mandates burial at the homestead of the first wife.
The plaintiffs have sued several members of the extended family, including Charles Waweru—who passed away during the course of the proceedings—along with Rosemary Njeri, Alice Wambui, Geoffrey Ng’ang’a, Regina Muthoni, Patrick Karanja, and Peter Chomba, who is the clan elder. They accuse the defendants of preventing the burial from proceeding in accordance with cultural norms.
On the other hand, the defendants want their father buried on his Gilgil land according to his wishes.
During his testimony before trial magistrate Gerald Gitonga, Ng’ang’a explained that although Mburu Kinani had been traditionally married to his first wife, they became estranged more than 40 years ago. Since that time, he had lived in Gilgil with Ng’ang’a’s mother, whom he formally married in a church wedding. Gilgil is where he built his life, raised his family, worshipped, and lived until his death—and it is there that he wished to be buried.
With the hearing of witnesses concluded, Magistrate Gitonga directed both parties to file their final submissions by May 27.
A ruling on the matter is expected thereafter, potentially bringing to an end the impasse that has left the late Mburu Kinani unburied for over half a year.
