A joint code of conduct to be strictly adhered to at funerals has been drawn by an elders’ council and representatives of some key churches.
The move followed ugly incidents witnessed at burial ceremonies in the local community which the code’s drafters said went against cultural norms and etiquette.
Abagusii Culture and Development Council chairman James Matundura, ACK Southern Nyanza Diocese, Bishop John Omangi and SDA South Kenya Conference Pastor James Miyienda urged their members, mourners and funeral organizers to respect the code.
They cited public condemnation and rejection as sanctions to be preferred on violators of the regulations whose circular will be distributed to various stakeholders including the Interior ministry.
Matundura who read part of the code’s resolutions says ferrying of youths by some politicians to funerals to cheer them or cause chaos had been banned.
During burial ceremonies the role of the church to conduct the event and provide spiritual comfort to the bereaved family should be respected.
The bereaved family will get time to speak between 9am and 11 am after which the church will take over in concluding the ceremony by 1pm.
Mourners will confine their short speeches to condoling the bereaved family, singing or praying.
Political leaders who resorted to selling their policies stood restrained from doing so and instead advised to look for other occasions other than the burial ceremonies.