Drama unfolded in Kigaa village, Embu County, when a Catholic Church priest was forced to abandon a burial service mid-ceremony as Rastafarians took over the send-off of one of their own, Brian Muteti, famously known as ‘Pope.’
The unexpected turn of events left mourners in shock after the dreadlocked group stormed the ceremony, demanding that only reggae music be played in honor of the deceased. The priest, who had begun leading the mass in accordance with Catholic traditions, was interrupted and asked to leave before completing the burial rites.
Eyewitnesses say tensions escalated when the Rastafarian group, dressed in their signature red, green, and gold colors, arrived chanting ‘Jah Lives!’ and insisted that Muteti should be given a send-off that aligns with their faith and culture. “He was one of us, a true believer in reggae and Rastafarianism. This is not a Catholic funeral. This is a Rastafarian ceremony,” one of them declared.
A standoff ensued as some family members attempted to defend the priest’s presence, arguing that Muteti was baptized in the Catholic Church. However, the overwhelming presence of Rastafarians, many of whom were close friends of the deceased, left little room for debate. In the end, the priest was escorted out, and the burial proceeded with reggae beats filling the air instead of hymns.
According to sources close to the family, Muteti, 35, had been deeply involved in the Rastafarian movement and was well-known in local reggae circles. Some family members were aware of his devotion to the Rastafarian faith but had assumed a Catholic send-off would be appropriate.
The incident has sparked discussions about the growing influence of Rastafarian culture in Kenya and the clashes it sometimes causes with mainstream religious practices. While the Catholic Church is yet to issue an official statement, some local leaders have called for respect for all religious beliefs in burial ceremonies.
As the reggae tunes echoed through Kigaa village, it was clear that Muteti’s Rastafarian brothers had the final say in his farewell – a send-off that truly embodied the spirit of ‘One Love.’
