Tear gas fired as crowd seizes Kenya pop star’s body to halt hasty COVID funeral

KISUMU (Reuters) – Hundreds of Kenyans defied tear gas and riot police on Friday to have off the overall body of a common singer, seeking to prevent a swift burial below procedures for suspected coronavirus cases which the crowd stated would be disrespectful.

Mourners and fans of Bernard Obonyo, whose phase name is Abenny Jachiga, swarmed the cemetery, stopping the singer’s funeral from getting area in Kisumu metropolis in western Kenya.

The region has a tradition of lavish, properly-attended funerals, but procedures imposed for suspected cases of COVID-19 infection demand bodies to be buried in 24 several hours of loss of life with only five kinfolk in attendance.

Police fired teargas to disperse the crowd, which removed the overall body from the graveyard and took it to a mortuary.

Obonbyo, 33, died on June eleven. His brother explained to Kenyan day by day newspaper the Everyday Nation that the singer was struggling from severe upper body and belly pains, problem respiration and experienced been vomiting blood. The spouse and children and the authorities have not stated whether he experienced been examined for the novel coronavirus.

Obonyo’s spouse and children are now asking for a 7 days to organise a correct funeral for the star.

“As a spouse and children we are requesting, give us a person 7 days, allow the fans approach, allow the tunes sector approach,” stated George Oningu, the singer’s brother-in-law.

“We do this to make positive there is peace and that Ben is buried in peace.”