'You Can Keep the Body,' Kenyan Singer Ruth Matete Tells Nigeria as She Gives Up on Burying Her Husband

For nearly two months, Kenyan gospel singer Ruth Matete has been fighting to have the remains of her deceased Nigerian husband John Apewajoye released for burial.

His body has been lying at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) mortuary since April 11th after the Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi blocked its release.

Apewajoye, 42, died on April 11th at KNH, where he was receiving medication for burns he suffered while allegedly trying to fix a gas cylinder at their home in Great Wall estate in Athi River on March 30th.

An autopsy showed Apewajoye succumbed to multiple organ failure occasioned by the burn injuries he sustained in the fire incident. Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor said the deceased suffered 60 percent burns.

After the postmortem, the Nigerian High Commission directed police and KNH management to hold the remains of Apewajoye until it authorizes its release.

Ruth, who is pregnant with Apewajoye’s child, was questioned by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in relation to his death.

Apewajowe’s manager and friend, Jessy Mcjessiey, a Nigerian, released a video claiming foul play into his sudden death. In the video, Jessy alleged that Matete had previously stabbed her husband on different occasions and had threatened to kill him.

Ruth, in a letter to the Nigerian mission through lawyer Robert Odanga, said she has given up and is no longer interested in Apewajoye’s body. Ruth, 34, stated that she can no longer afford to pay the huge mortuary bill. 

“You can hold the body and do with it as you please,” part of the letter read as quoted by The Star.

“She will now try to move on and should not be contacted by anyone in regard to the burial,” said lawyer Odanga.

Last month Odanga accused the mission of frustrating his client’s efforts to bury her husband despite receiving consent from his family in Nigeria.

“It is common knowledge that the body cannot be subjected to a second postmortem because the initial exercise has already compromised the body. The toxicological test results are also out, so holding the body does not make sense, it only adds to her frustrations as a widow who is still mourning,” said Odanga.