Kirinyaga millionaire survived by 3 widows buried in strange ceremony

By Githinji Mwangi.

After four years of grievous wrangles between his three widows, Peter Njagi Gacini, a wealthy teacher, who died on August 18, 2015, was buried at Karia Village in Kirinyaga County.

Despite having died a multi-millionaire, Njagi’s burial on Friday, August 9, did not portray any element of such stature.

A quickly-dug grave under a tree, bitter widows, mourners locked out of the event, no eulogy read or speakers allowed to address the congregants was what characterised Njagi’s 20-minute interment that had zero semblance to that of a “millionaire’s final send-off.

For the last four years, Njagi’s three widows have been entangled in a bitter row over his vast property.

The Late teacher’s second wife allegedly obtained a court injunction stopping his burial from proceeding until she and her two co-wives agreed on how they will share his property.

A quest for that agreement, proved to be a pipe dream, until four years later, when Njagi, who died aged 67, was hurriedly interred.

The deceased’s second wife allegedly locked out other mourners from accessing the burial site.

Njagi’s burial ceremony was officiated by Rev. Johnson Maricho and James Njue of Ciagini Anglican Church.

Njagi’s nephew, Moses Munene, said the differences between the three women was unnecessary because “my uncle had left a Will”.

“I don’t know why his widows do not want to follow the Will,” said Munene.

The Late Njagi’s body had been stored at the Embu Level 5 Hospital morgue, attracting a storage fee of Ksh285, 000 for the four years it was preserved in the facility.

Karia Village elder, Joseph Muriuki, said Njagi was a respected man "only to be buried like a witch".

Njagi left behind 11 children and more than 30 grandchildren.

Among other property, the Late Njagi owned 13 acres of land in Kirinyaga, 8 acres of rice paddy, several rental buildings in Kirinyaga County.

Njagi served as a principal in three schools, which include Mwea Boys' High School, Karia Secondary School and Njenga Secondary School.