Residents of Maji Mazuri village in Lugari Sub County have been left in shock after one resident held a burial ceremony for his hen, which he considered a key investment at his rural home.
Joseph Omulayi is said to have sung dirges, read the Bible and prayed before burying the hen, and even cemented the grave. He said he would be observing the hen’s death anniversaries.
In a country where the majority of people are poor and live on less than a dollar a day, losing a hen valued at about Ksh600 (about $6) can be a painful experience, let alone with eggs just about to hatch.
Among the Luhya community in Western Kenya, a hen is a valued asset, and members of this tribe often subjects of sarcasm on chicken matters. With the cost of living rising, Kenyans have been hanging onto any revenue earner.
Culturally, chicken makes a meal for respected visitors but also a source of income. Many households pay school fees or even run household budgets using proceeds from chicken sales. Many, though, keep it for the psychological boost – and just in case that special guest walks in.
In the region, in fact, a chicken thief gets a more severe punishment than someone who steals, say, a cow or Ksh10,000.
Omulayi explained to shocked neighbours that he adored his hen and was saddened by its sudden death amid allegations that it was hit by someone. “I bought seven chicks last year and took care of them to maturity but others were stolen and I was left with this one which had laid 12 eggs,” he stated.
He said it was about to hatch the eggs but unfortunately somebody hit it while it was brooding and killed it. It is not clear how much the funeral cost.
Given the rising cost of living in Kenya, the man’s action is understandable. Kenya’s overall inflation rate fell to 5 % in August, down from 6.27 % in July, after a steady rise since January. The drop was due to lower foodstuff prices, the statistics bureau said on Friday.
While within the Central Bank target, the cost of living is still high and many Kenyans are forced to live from hand to mouth majority surviving on casual labour and subsistence farming.
Bizzare burial
Even then, residents are still getting to terms with the bizarre burial actions, with some seeing a superstitious angle to it. It is believed burying the bird is a way of cursing the killer.
Omulayi said he had fed his hen in the morning before he left for work but when he returned in the evening, he found it lying lifeless on the nest.
He then dug a three-foot grave, wrapped the hen together with the eggs in a white piece of cloth and buried it. “I was informed about the incident and was shocked to find him mourning for the bird,” said Halima Daraja, a neighbour.
Another resident, Caroline Awinja said since she missed the episode, she is anxiously waiting to see him conduct an anniversary next year.
