"Maiti Amekataa," Confusion as Kisumu Mourners Get Stranded After Stubborn Body Allegedly “Refuses” to Go Home

A routine journey to a burial in Kisumu turned into a strange and stressful experience after mourners claimed the deceased man’s body kept “refusing” to go home. 

The incident, which has circulated widely online, resembles a story many locals say they have witnessed before — where unexplained delays happen during funeral travel.

According to the mourners, the team left Nairobi very early in the morning, expecting to reach the village before midday. 

However, the vehicle transporting the casket began stalling repeatedly once they got past Awasi. 

The breakdowns happened so often that passengers became confused and anxious.

At one point, the coffin was removed from the bus and placed by the roadside so it could “get some sun and air,” as some believed the spirit of the deceased might be unsettled. 

Even after returning the casket to the bus, the vehicle still refused to start, leaving the group stranded for hours.

Church elders and community leaders who were present tried to calm the situation. 

They prayed and spoke words of peace around the casket, hoping this would allow the journey to continue. 

Some mourners also repositioned the coffin inside the vehicle, turning it in different directions, thinking it might help ease whatever was causing the disruptions.

Many passengers whispered that such incidents usually point to unresolved family issues, especially involving land or inheritance. 

Others believed that someone who had a conflict with the deceased might have been on board, causing spiritual resistance during the trip.

In some traditions, when a body “rejects” returning home, a ritual is performed where everyone alights from the bus. 

They then board one by one while the driver attempts to start the engine. The person whose presence causes the engine to stall is believed to be carrying negative energy or unresolved issues with the deceased.

With tensions rising and the mourners already exhausted by the long delay, this step was considered as the next possible solution. 

The atmosphere remained heavy as people tried to understand what was really happening. 

Some were frightened, others were simply tired, and many were frustrated that a sorrowful day had turned into an unexpected drama.

Despite the confusion, community elders urged the group to remain calm and avoid jumping to conclusions. 

They reminded the mourners that mechanical problems can also happen — even during emotional moments like funerals.