Consolata Adhiambo: Bodaboda rider ferrying the dead

A recent photograph of Consolata Adhiambo riding a motorcycle while carrying a coffin went viral on social media.

Adhiambo, or Dem Mngori as she is commonly known among her peers in Kakamega, and also on social media, wore a red t-shirt; she neither had a helmet nor a reflector jacket.

It emerged that inside the coffin was a dead body. And on top of the coffin sat a man, ostensibly, to balance the weight to avoid tipping over.

What many did not know is that this was the fourth body Adhiambo was ferrying on a motorbike. Adhiambo said that because of the high-cost living, many families cannot afford a hearse.

“Some families choose to carry coffins with bodies using boda boda because they cannot raise money to hire a hearse,” she added.

She said that the idea to ferry dead bodies was mooted last year during a funeral of a relative in Khwisero, Kakamega County.

“I took the coffin and carried it and delivered it safely,” she said.

Adhiambo said that to carry a dead body in a coffin on her motorbike, she is paid Sh3,000 and a chicken. In Luhya culture, a chicken is used to keep away evil spirits or appease them, lest they mess up with one’s life.

“I do not use the money to buy food at home or save, but to have fun with my friends through drinking because I was told in Luhya culture that such money should not be taken or used at home,” she said.

Adhiambo said that she has so far carried four bodies, mostly within the county and notes that it is no longer a strange thing. To ensure the balancing of the coffin weight while on the motorbike, Adhiambo said someone sits on it. Adhiambo, a heavily built lady, has been riding boda boda since 2018. Born in Chavakali, Kakamega County, Adhiambo was raised by her grandmother.

She said that her grandmother supported her education up to Standard Four. She, however, dropped out due to a lack of school fees.

“I came to Eshisiru near Kakamega town in 2018. I worked as a house help for one year and later got a boyfriend, with whom we stayed for one year. Later, we got two boys, all now aged seven and five years,” said Adhiambo.

“In 2020, we separated after some differences. But while staying with him, he had a motorbike which he would teach me and I would ride. When he had gone to work with it, I would hire one and carry passengers,” Adhiambo added.

But Adhiambo now says that her job has drawn condemnation and curses. Others, she said, tell her that she would never get married.

“They laugh at me and insult me.”

Adhiambo, however, said that her job pays her bills and helps her feed her children.

“Riding a bodaboda to earn a living is not bad so long as at the end of the day you get your daily bread,” she said.

According to her, traffic police officers have not had issues with her on the road while carrying coffins. However, it’s illegal to transport a dead body using boda boda and some counties have banned it to maintain public order and dignity for the deceased.

Under the Kenya Penal Code Section 137, any person who fails to treat a dead body with dignity or hinders its proper burial can be found guilty of a misdemeanour.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) sets strict limits on luggage for motorcycles. Loads must not exceed 50kg, must not project more than 15cm beyond the handlebars, and cannot extend more than 60cm behind the motorcycle.

A standard coffin typically exceeds these dimensions and weight limits and thus requires being carried on motorbikes. However, many boda boda riders have been carrying bodies of their members to burial, either knowingly or not, that it's illegal.

Adhiambo’s desire to quit boda boda and start her own business, if she gets capital to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a business lady. Adhiambo highlighted the risks of riding a boda boda.

“To be safe while riding boda boda amid increasing cases of rape and murder and stealing of motorbikes, I avoid working late hours, closing at 7 pm.”

“I wake up at about 5 am for early clients, then go back home to prepare my children for school,” she said.