The community of Kirinyaga is in mourning following the death of 60-year-old Mwangi Kimunyu, who jumped into River Nyamindi after previously hinting at his distress.

While the family wishes to honor his final request for a swift burial, they have hit a legal and financial wall.

According to his sister, Ann Njeri, Kimunyu had expressed his intentions prior to the incident, though the gravity of his words was not immediately realized.

He left behind a specific instruction regarding his interment.

“He said that if he threw himself into the river, he should be buried within 24 hours. He was a good person and friendly to everyone in the community, but he never married,” said his sister, Ann Njeri.

Kimunyu’s body was retrieved from the river on Tuesday. Investigators noted that he was fully clothed and had Sh200 in his pocket at the time he was found.

The 24-hour burial wish has proven impossible to fulfill. Kenyan law requires a post-mortem examination for all cases of unnatural death before a body can be released for burial, a procedure the family cannot currently fund.

The family is now appealing for help as they remain stuck between police requirements and their empty pockets.

“We have no money to bury him. The police say a post-mortem must be conducted, but we do not have the Ksh. 10,000 needed,” Njeri said, fighting back tears.