Drama unfolded at a funeral in Kitui after the family of the deceased and clergy allegedly disagreed over the timing of speeches and the burial programme.
According to a video shared on social media, the family allegedly insisted on continuing with testimonies and speeches from friends of the deceased before the burial.
It is alleged that the priests officiating the funeral said time was running out and urged the family to proceed with the burial.
The clergy reportedly suggested that the body be buried and the family continue with the remaining speeches afterwards.
The proposal allegedly did not go down well with the family, which insisted that the testimonies should continue until the deceased’s friends had spoken.
The disagreement reportedly escalated, with the priests who had come to officiate the funeral allegedly removing their liturgical vestments and leaving the ceremony.
The incident appears to have disrupted the funeral proceedings, with the family and clergy seemingly divided over how the programme should proceed.
In the video, a priest is seen walking towards a man who was delivering his tribute, apparently in an attempt to take over the programme.
However, the man holding the microphone appears defiant and asks the priest to return to his seat.
“No, no, Father, wait. Father, go back to your seat. You’ve come just right now. You cannot come and determine what is happening in the family,” the man says.
“We are here to console our brother. Go back to your seat,” he adds, claiming he was acting in the interests of the family.
Despite what appears to be an attempt by the cleric to take charge of the programme, the speakers remain adamant, amid murmurs from mourners.
The priest is then seen walking away before entering a nearby tent, where he appears to remove his church vestments.
