It was a rare spectacle as the man who died on the eve of his wedding day was buried in an unusual celebration at his home in Subukia, Nakuru County, on Thursday.
The funeral of John Mwangi had a wedding setting to symbolise his big day that would have been Saturday last week but the joy was cut short by death.
He was to formalise his marriage to Irene Chepkemboi with whom he had two children.
Mwangi died on Friday when the car he was driving plunged into Kirandich Dam in Kabarnet, Baringo County, where he was going to collect his in-laws in preparation for the wedding.
At the funeral, the maids dressed as they had planned to look on the big day and the Master of Ceremonies tried his best to keep the mood happy.
Ms Irene Chepkemboi, the would-be bride, hands a cake to her father and mother-in-law during the burial of Ms Chepkemboi’s husband in Subukia, Nakuru County, on July 16, 2015. PHOTO | MAGDALENE WANJA | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
To ensure this, the organisers invited a comedian to emcee, the very same one who would have led the programme during the wedding.
The funeral’s guest list was the same one that would have been used during the wedding only that this time, more people attended.
Family members and friends of John Mwangi carry his body to the grave at his home in Subukia, Nakuru County, on July 16, 2015. PHOTO | MAGDALENE WANJA | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
Relatives and friends termed Mwangi as a humble man who worked hard for both the church and the society.
Father Peter Njoroge, a Catholic priest at St Luke’s Church Meloreni, said Mwangi was a humble man who grew up in the church.
Ms Chepkemboi is expecting her third child but unfortunately the baby will not meet its father.