Court Clears Burial of Gospel Singer Rachel Wandeto as Family Wins Bitter Legal Battle Over Her Remains

The long-running and emotionally charged dispute over the burial of slain gospel singer Rachel Muthoni Wandeto has finally been settled after the High Court in Kerugoya ruled in favor of her family, clearing the way for her burial weeks after her death.

The ruling brings to an end a painful legal battle that had left relatives, friends, and supporters in uncertainty since the funeral arrangements were abruptly halted by a court order on May 28, 2026.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Kerugoya High Court Resident Magistrate Harrison Mwangi determined that the deceased’s family had presented the strongest legal claim over the custody of her remains, dismissing assertions that an alleged customary marriage gave another party burial rights.

The court found that while evidence clearly established a parent-child relationship between the deceased and her family, claims of a customary marriage had not been sufficiently proven.

“The court is therefore confronted with a proven parent-child relationship on one hand, and an alleged customary marriage which remains an unproven reality. In the court’s view, the proven relationship must prevail over the unproven one,” ruled Mwangi.

Funeral Delays Triggered by Court Dispute

The burial dispute erupted just as preparations for Wandeto’s final send-off were underway, throwing mourners into confusion and deep distress.

Her funeral, which was expected to proceed on May 28, was suddenly stopped after court proceedings were initiated to determine who had the legal authority to take custody of the body and oversee burial arrangements.

The disagreement centered on competing claims between members of Wandeto’s family and Peter Jaramba, who was acknowledged in court as the father of the two children left behind by the deceased.

However, the court ruled that paternity alone was insufficient to establish burial rights in the absence of proof that a valid customary marriage existed between the two.

Court Issues Orders on Release of Body

In its decision, the court dismissed a preliminary objection dated May 28, 2026, and allowed an earlier application filed on May 25.

Among the key orders issued was a temporary injunction restraining the respondent, his agents, servants, or any individuals acting on his behalf from accessing, collecting, removing, or burying the remains of the deceased pending the final determination of the suit.

The court also directed Montezuma Funeral Home to immediately release Wandeto’s remains to the applicant and authorized burial arrangements to proceed without further delay.

The ruling effectively removes the legal obstacles that had kept the body at the mortuary for weeks as the parties battled in court.

Family Welcomes Verdict

Following the ruling, family lawyer John Kahiga described the decision as a major victory for the family and a crucial step toward giving the deceased a dignified send-off.

“The court has clearly given us the go-ahead to bury Rachel Wandeto and directed Montezuma Funeral Home to release her remains to my client so that burial arrangements can proceed,” Kahiga said.

He emphasized that the court carefully considered all evidence presented before arriving at its conclusion.

“The court was categorical that although Mr. Peter Jaramba was the father of the two children, that itself is not enough to prove that he should be given the body. Our evidence showed that there was no marriage and no customary marriage was conducted. Therefore, my client remains the person entitled to bury Rachel Wandeto,” he added.

Tragic Death Shocked the Nation

Wandeto’s death sparked widespread outrage and renewed conversations about violence against women.

The gospel singer, who had previously gained national attention after publicly displaying a tattoo of President William Ruto, died on May 18, 2026, after succumbing to severe burn injuries sustained during a brutal petrol attack in the Mwiki area of Nairobi County.

Her death triggered an outpouring of grief from supporters across the country, with many demanding justice and swift investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

As the legal battle over her remains comes to an end, attention is now expected to shift toward her final burial arrangements and the ongoing quest for accountability in the horrific attack that claimed her life.

For the grieving family, the court’s decision marks the end of weeks of anguish and uncertainty, paving the way for Rachel Wandeto to finally be laid to rest.