“Nilikua naiba masanduku ya matajiri,marafiki zangu wote walipigwa risasi wakakufa nikajiweka ndani ya sanduku nikajifanya pia mimi nimekufa” former coffin thief shares his story
In a startling confession that unravels the eerie and clandestine world of coffin theft in Nairobi’s Lang’ata Cemetery, a former perpetrator, who wishes to remain anonymous, reveals the shocking details of his past life. “Nilikua naiba masanduku ya matajiri wakishazikwa Lang’ata, marafiki zangu wote walipigwa risasi wakakufa nikajiweka ndani ya sanduku nikajifanya pia mimi nimekufa” – his words, heavy with remorse, depict a life shadowed by desperation and deadly risks.
The story begins in the hushed darkness of Nairobi’s sprawling burial grounds, where theft of coffins is a grim reality. This former coffin thief, once entangled in a circle of crime and deceit, recounts the chilling tale of his illicit activities. The modus operandi was both audacious and macabre: targeting the final resting places of the wealthy, waiting for their burials, and then swiftly making away with their ornate caskets.
The most harrowing turn in his tale came when his companions, accomplices in this illicit trade, met their tragic demise. “Marafiki zangu wote walipigwa risasi wakakufa…” – a stark reminder of the deadly consequences that often accompany a life of crime. Fearing for his own life, he devised a chilling survival tactic: concealing himself inside one of the stolen coffins, feigning death like those he had preyed upon.
Imagine the fear and desperation that must have consumed him as he lay in that stolen coffin, pretending to be a silent occupant of death’s embrace. His story serves as a haunting testament to the depths one can sink to in pursuit of survival and misguided fortune.
Today, this former coffin thief has turned a new leaf. His conscience burdened by the shadows of his past, he seeks redemption by sharing his cautionary tale. It’s a stark reminder of the perils of delving into the underworld, where even the dead are not spared from exploitation.
This confession unravels a world seldom spoken of, shedding light on the moral decay that can fester in the hidden corners of society. The tale of the coffin thief is a reminder that behind every crime lies a human story, often woven with threads of desperation and sorrow.
As we reflect on his narrative, let us remember that every soul, no matter how tarnished by past misdeeds, is capable of redemption. Perhaps through his confession, others will be dissuaded from following the same dark path, ultimately choosing a different fate—a life illuminated by honesty and compassion.
