GSU Officer Buried Secretly in Kisumu Church to Be Exhumed

A court in Kisumu County has ordered the exhumation of a General Service Unit officer who was buried within a church compound without the knowledge of his family or formal approval.

The officer, Dan Ayoo, was interred at St Joseph’s of Messiah church, where he was a member, shortly after his death. Police said the burial was conducted quietly and without notification to his relatives or relevant authorities.

According to investigators, Ayoo died while travelling to the church premises. The circumstances of his burial raised concern, leading police to open an inquiry and arrest several individuals who were present at the ceremony. Officers stated that the lack of transparency surrounding the burial prompted suspicion and required further investigation.

Five months after Ayoo’s death, the court directed that his remains be exhumed and reburied at his parents’ home in Kano. The decision followed police recommendations and was intended to align with Luo cultural burial practices. Ayoo’s widow challenged the order in court, seeking to stop the exhumation, which resulted in delays as legal proceedings continued.

When the exhumation was eventually carried out, police maintained that the process was lawful and authorised. Officers overseeing the operation said all relevant parties had been consulted and advised those opposed to the decision to pursue legal remedies rather than interfere with the exercise.

Residents living near the church expressed shock at the revelations. Several said they had long regarded the church community as familiar and dependable, making the secrecy surrounding the burial difficult to understand. Some recalled noticing unusual activity at the compound, including the arrival of large vehicles and groups of people whose presence and movements were unclear.

One resident said that despite the large gatherings, it was not apparent where visitors were staying or how they were being accommodated, which raised concern at the time. In response to the ongoing investigation, authorities ordered the closure of the church and instructed worshippers to leave the premises.