The burial of James Mburu, the adoptive father of Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika, has been delayed for nearly six months amid a heated dispute between his biological and adoptive children.
The case is currently being heard in the family court, where a new controversy has emerged over a video clip submitted as evidence. The video, reportedly recorded by a nurse named Pamela Gakii, shows the 90-year-old Mburu expressing his wish to be buried in Gilgil instead of his ancestral home in Gatanga, Murang’a County.
However, children from Mburu’s first marriage, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, have cast doubt on the video’s authenticity. They argue that the nurse breached professional ethics by recording the footage instead of directly informing the family of Mburu’s alleged wishes.
Testifying virtually, Gakii defended her decision, stating that she did not understand the local dialect and believed she was acting in the best interest of the patient.
“I recorded the video because I couldn’t understand the language well. I felt it was the right thing to do for the patient,” she told the court.
Further controversy surrounds Geoffrey Mburu, who claims to be one of the deceased’s sons. He was unable to convincingly explain why it took over two decades to obtain a birth certificate, stating that his mother had lost the original and he only applied for a replacement when planning to study in the United States. However, lawyer Stanley Kinyanjui alleged the certificate was fabricated to obscure questions surrounding his paternity.
“This conveniently timed birth certificate appears to be a cover-up for unresolved paternity issues,” Kinyanjui argued in court.
Cultural Concerns Raised by Kikuyu Elders:
During earlier proceedings, members of the Agikuyu Council of Elders warned that burying Mburu in Gilgil would violate Kikuyu cultural traditions.
Cultural experts Moses Muhia Maina and Patrick Kiguta Kimani testified that, according to Kikuyu customs, an elder must be buried on his ancestral land, typically at the homestead of his first wife. The eldest son is traditionally granted the right to approve the burial site. Based on these customs, they insisted that Mburu should be buried in Gatanga.
They further warned that ignoring these traditions could invite misfortune upon the family, stressing the importance of respecting cultural rites.
As the legal battle continues, the court must navigate a maze of family conflict, legal complexities, and cultural sensitivities to determine the final resting place of James Mburu.
