Hundreds of Kenyans defied tear gas and riot police last Friday (June 12) to prevent the swift burial of popular musician Abenny Jachiga in the western city of Kisumu.

Rules imposed for suspected cases of COVID-19 require bodies to be buried within 48-hours of death with only five relatives in attendance.

Benard Omondi, a fellow musician was among the protesters: “Ben died yesterday, Ben died last night at three am so Ben can’t be buried now, how?

A probe has been launched into the passing of Abenny Jachiga whose real name is Benard Onyango Ogutu.

We are requesting so that we can plan and manage that Covid situation so that when these fans can come for the burial and we are in a position to manage this properly.”