Burial of gospel singer and Ruto supporter killed for political views goes haywire

Mourners who gathered in Kirinyaga County to bid farewell to late gospel singer Rachel Muthoni Wandeto were left shocked after her burial was abruptly postponed due to a dispute over her final resting place.

The burial, which had been scheduled for May 28, 2026, failed to proceed after disagreements emerged between her family and her husband over where she should be buried. As a result, her body was not released from the mortuary, leaving hundreds of mourners stranded.

Confusion at the mortuary

Friends, relatives, and residents had gathered at Kerugoya Stadium before proceeding to Kabumbu Village in Kirinyaga Central Constituency, expecting the body to arrive from Montezuma Funeral Home in Kabati.

However, the funeral programme was suddenly interrupted after the funeral committee announced that they had been unable to collect the body because of an unresolved disagreement.

In a video seen by K24 Digital, family spokesperson Joseph Githinji Kimaru said they were informed of the issue when they went to pick up Wandeto’s remains from the mortuary.

The announcement stunned mourners who had waited at the venue since morning, especially because preparations for the burial had already been completed. A grave had been dug, food prepared, and the coffin arranged in readiness for the ceremony.

Following Wandeto’s death, President William Ruto had contributed KSh1.6 million towards funeral expenses. The funds were delivered by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, and Kelvin Kogi.

Funeral committee members said both sides had initially agreed on the arrangements, making the last-minute standoff unexpected.

Dispute over burial location

The disagreement reportedly centres on a conflict between Wandeto’s family and her husband, Peter Njaramba Njeri, regarding where the singer should be laid to rest.

While her family preferred that she be buried in Kirinyaga County, reports indicate that her husband wanted the burial to take place in Murang’a County. Wandeto’s family is also said to have disputed the marriage, claiming traditional rites had not been completed.

Rachel Wandeto died in mid-May 2026 while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital after suffering severe burns during a petrol attack by unknown assailants in the Mwiki area of Kasarani, Nairobi.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Homicide Directorate is currently investigating the incident.

The singer had recently gained public attention after tattooing President William Ruto’s image on her body. Her remains will stay at the mortuary until the family dispute is resolved.