Kenyans angry as viral video shows woman brutally beaten by ex-in-laws at husband's burial

Kenyans are in outrage after a disturbing video emerged showing a woman being viciously assaulted by her ex-in-laws during the burial of her former husband in Nyabisimba, Nyamira County.

The viral footage, which has left many questioning the depths of cultural oppression, captures the woman, dressed in black, desperately trying to shield herself as her former in-laws force her to participate in burial rituals against her will.

The horrific attack took place on March 21, 2025, when the woman, who had been married to her late ex-husband for over nine years before their separation, honoured an unexpected invitation from her former mother-in-law. 

After years of no contact, she had been asked to bring her children to their father’s funeral following his tragic death in a road accident. 

But what was meant to be a moment of closure quickly spiraled into a violent confrontation.

As mourners gathered around the freshly dug grave, her former in-laws insisted that she partake in a burial custom that required her to throw soil into the grave as part of the final rites. When she declined, tensions escalated. 

Murmurs turned into accusations, and within moments, grief turned into fury. Some of her in-laws accused her of being responsible for her ex-husband’s death. 

What followed was a chilling scene of mob violence.

In the heart-wrenching video, the woman is seen sitting by the graveside, her body hunched as she pleads with her attackers. 

Her cries fall on deaf ears as she is repeatedly slapped across the face, each strike by a stick met with jeers from the crowd. 

A man standing over her raises a stick and brings it down with force, beating her mercilessly as others pull at her hair, yanking her head back violently. 

She struggles, but they overpower her, pushing her toward the grave and forcing her to comply with their demands.

The attack lasted several agonising minutes, all captured on camera, as bystanders watched. 

Some tried to intervene, but their voices were drowned out by those who insisted the woman must perform the ritual. 

The video quickly spread across social media, igniting outrage across the country.

Kenyans condemned the brutality, calling for justice and questioning why such archaic traditions were still being enforced through violence.

Many described the attack as barbaric, with social media flooded with demands for immediate action against those responsible.

Following the widespread public outcry, authorities launched an investigation, leading to the swift arrest of three suspects, Robert Pokea Sarudi, 43, Bismark Ondiek Sarudi, 40, and Lameck Ogindo Osoro, 27. 

The three were tracked down in Mwongorisi sub-location and are currently being held at Kiambere Police Station as they await formal charges for the assault and unlawful coercion.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation confirmed that more arrests could follow as they work to identify other individuals involved in the attack.

The DCI assured the public that justice will be served, urging any witnesses to come forward with additional information. 

Meanwhile, Kenyans continue to voice their anger and frustration, questioning the deeply entrenched customs that still subject women to violence under the guise of tradition.