The burial of Joab Otieno, who died on April 14, 2026, at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, is in dispute. Otieno's body was initially buried in Kakelo Village, Seme Sub-County in Kisumu County, but was later exhumed and transferred to Ndhiwa Sub-County Hospital mortuary following a court order. This decision came after a controversy arose between two families claiming Otieno's body.
Otieno's mother, Monica Auma, has sued Jenniffer Nundu and Joel Nundu, siblings of the late Paul Otieno Nundu, over the burial. Auma argues that the Nundu family secretly buried her son in Kisumu County without her knowledge. Auma's brothers, Paul Odhiambo Ywaya and Richard Otieno Ywaya, testified during the hearing, disowning Nundu's family as their in-laws.
According to Odhiambo, Monica was first married to Joseph Nyadiero, but they later disagreed. She then went back to her parents' home in Uriri before cohabiting with the late Nundu. Odhiambo said that at the time, Monica was five months pregnant with Joab. He revealed that Monica stayed with Nundu for four years before returning to her marriage with Nyadiero in Ndhiwa.
The two witnesses stated that they only recognize Nyadiero as their in-law, as he fulfilled the cultural requirement of formalizing his marriage with Monica by paying dowry in line with Luo community culture. They said Nundu's family did not pay dowry nor make any visits to their family to show a relationship with them.
The claimant's lawyer, Albert Ongoso, expressed concern over the conflicting names for the deceased man. The complaint presented the name as Joab Oloo Otieno, while the defendants presented the name as Joab Nundu Otieno. Ongoso wondered why there were two different names for the same deceased person.
However, Jenniffer's lawyer, Kennedy Okong'o, and Joel's lawyer, Marvin Odero, questioned the witnesses about disowning a relationship with the late Nundu's family. More witnesses are expected to testify before Ndhiwa Principal Magistrate Phylis Shinyada.
The case has raised questions about the cultural and legal implications of disputed burials. The outcome of the case will likely have significant implications for the families involved and may set a precedent for similar disputes in the future. The court case is ongoing, with a determination yet to be made on who has the right to bury Otieno.
Key points
- The burial of Joab Otieno is in dispute between two families, with his mother Monica Auma claiming he belongs to her husband's family.
- The late Paul Otieno Nundu's family had buried Otieno in Kisumu County, sparking the controversy.
- The case is ongoing at the Ndhiwa Law Courts, with more witnesses expected to testify.
