Delight Funeral Home was officially launched on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Ndengelwa area near Bungoma town along the busy Mombasa–Malaba Highway, sparking mixed reactions from residents and attracting sharp criticism online.
Initial reports had suggested that Bungoma Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka would grace the event as the chief guest. However, as public backlash intensified on social media, the Governor’s press unit issued a clarification distancing him from the launch, stating that he had no involvement in the event.
The clarification came amid mounting criticism from activists and residents who questioned the optics of associating county leadership with the opening of a funeral facility at a time when public health services in Bungoma are facing significant challenges.
Human rights activist Njasi led the criticism, arguing that the alleged association sent the wrong message to residents struggling with inadequate healthcare services. In a strongly worded statement, Njasi highlighted chronic issues in county and sub-county hospitals, including overcrowding, shortages of essential drugs, and patients being forced to share beds or sleep on the floor.
“This sounds like an irony to Bungoma residents who voted for this regime. County and sub-county hospitals lack facilities, patients sleep on the floor, three patients sharing a bed, and people die daily due to lack of drugs. Launching a funeral home amid such a crisis is shameful,” Njasi said.
He further argued that the move could be perceived as prioritising profit from death rather than investing in systems that save lives, raising concerns about leadership priorities in the county.
Despite the controversy, the funeral home was officially opened by Bishop Mechumo of the Anglican Church, Bungoma Diocese, who presided over the ceremony and offered prayers.
The launch has since ignited wider debate among Bungoma residents on governance priorities, healthcare funding, and the role of private funeral services in a county grappling with strained public health infrastructure.
As the discussion continues online and offline, residents are calling for renewed focus on improving healthcare delivery, even as private investors expand services within the county.
