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Will Jacob Juma be buried with a knife and torch?


The family and clan of slain controversial businessman Jacob Juma will lay him to rest according to Luhya customary rites befitting a prominent person whose life was taken away in a brutal manner, Nairobi News understands.

The late Juma’s sibling Grisham Juma revealed that elders from the Batura clan are all set to conduct traditional rituals to avenge his death.

Therefore Juma will be buried with a torch and knife, as tradition dictates, in what is expected to also be a heroic send-off that will be graced by top opposition politicians.

The family of the slain businessman at the All Saints Cathedral on May 12, 2016. PHOTO | LEONARD ONYANGO
The family of the slain businessman at the All Saints Cathedral for his requiem mass no May 12, 2016. PHOTO | LEONARD ONYANGO

According to the Luhya tradition, burying a murdered person with a knife and a torch is for the dead man to go hunt for his killers.

Juma succumbed to injuries from two bullet wounds through his chest, according to official post mortem report.

His body was found inside his car on Ngong Road in Nairobi last Thursday night.

The car – a blue Mercedes Benz – had been sprayed with bullets and had the rear window smashed.

The bullet-riddled vehicle of slain businessman Jacob Juma. PHOTO |
The bullet-riddled vehicle of slain businessman Jacob Juma. PHOTO |

Police say they have commenced investigations into his death.

Juma had months to his death indicated that several prominent people including politicians were after his life.

According to the funeral schedule, Juma’s remains will leave Lee Funeral Home on Thursday where a number of memorial services and viewing have been lined up ahead of the burial in Bungoma County on Saturday.