The two main suspects who were charged with assaulted a woman at husband’s burial arrested/SCREENGRAB
Two main suspects linked to the assault of a widow during her estranged husband's burial in Nyamira have been arrested and charged.
The two were arraigned alongside seven other suspects at the Nyamira Law Courts on Thursday.
Jeremiah Motari, alias Mogaka, who was captured on camera assaulting Mellen, was nabbed alongside his co-accused, Edward Moseti Ogendi.
They were presented before Nyamira
Senior Resident Magistrate Bernard Ondego and denied the charges.
They were released on a Sh100,000 bond or a cash bail of Sh50,000 each.
The two were charged with torturing Mellen Mogaka and causing bodily harm by assaulting her.
The seven other suspects linked to the same case were presented for mention. They are expected back in court on May 12 for a joint mention of the case.
The suspects were arrested after a video circulating on social media showed the woman being physically assaulted at a burial ceremony.
In the undated footage, several men are seen forcing the woman to throw a handful of soil into the grave as a farewell to the deceased, but she resists, prompting the men to whip her.
Her in-laws, who insisted she partake in the burial customs, are alleged to have accused her of being responsible for her husband's death after she declined to perform the ritual.
Her in-laws, who insisted she partake in the burial customs, are alleged to have accused her of being responsible for her husband's death after she declined to perform the ritual.
“This incident is not only unfortunate but also deeply regrettable, as it is devoid of civility and basic human dignity,” police said in a statement.
NPS said that the incident occurred on Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Kiambere area, Mwongorisi sub-location of Nyamira County.
