Kilifi Man Barred from Burying Wife Over Sh146,000 Dowry Dispute After Her Death in Oman

A family in Kilifi County is enduring compounded grief as a dowry dispute prevents a widow from burying his wife who died in Oman shortly after giving birth to twins. 

Lilian Kadzo, a 31-year-old Kenyan national, died on 4 July in an Omani hospital, a week after delivering twins via Caesarean section. As her husband, Emmanuel Mwachambi, 34, prepares for her burial scheduled for 26 July at her parents’ home in Kadzinuni village, Kilifi South, he is facing an unexpected obstacle, Kadzo’s family refuses to release her body unless he settles an outstanding dowry balance of Sh146,000.

The Kadzo family is allegedly demanding the outstanding sum of Sh146,000 to be settled, which is part of the initial Sh150,000 dowry, plus an additional Sh25,000 for traditional palm wine rituals. The Mwachambi is subsequently barred from participating in the burial rites until the full amount is paid.

Mwachambi, a plant operator by training currently working as a bodaboda rider, speaking from his home in Makata village, Kilifi South Sub-county, recounts that his wife's final communication with him was a voice note saying she was unwell and needed to rest. "She told me she wasn’t feeling well and asked me to let her rest. She said if I needed to reach her, I should send a voice note,” he said, visibly distraught.

Kadzo had travelled to Oman in 2024 in search of improved economic opportunities for her family. She had previously worked in Saudi Arabia from 2022 to 2023. Although she suspected she was pregnant before her departure, she reportedly obtained a medical clearance certificate, costing Sh12,000, and proceeded with the trip.

Mwachambi suspects the certificate may have been issued under dubious circumstances. Two weeks after arriving in Oman, Kadzo confirmed her pregnancy, and she was housed by her agent while seeking short-term contracts, as she was unable to join her assigned employer. Despite Mwachambi’s appeals for her to return home, she chose to stay in order to save enough money for travel. Over time her health deteriorated with symptoms including swollen legs and fatigue. 

In May, she secured another job and asked for permission to work a little longer, however, complications soon resulted in her hospitalisation and the birth of twins – a boy and a girl – via C-section. On 14 July, the twins arrived in Kenya via Moi International Airport in Mombasa and are now being cared for by Mwachambi, his mother, Everline Jumwa, and his younger sister. Jumwa recalls her last conversation with Kadzo, who requested her official names to name the baby girl. 

“She said she was unwell but had just been discharged from hospital,” Jumwa said.

Efforts to mediate the conflict through local administrative channels have so far been unsuccessful. Mwachambi, currently unemployed and responsible for three children, has appealed to the public for assistance. 

“They told me they would return the Sh4,000 I had already paid if I insisted on burying my wife,” he said.