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An Eldoret Court yesterday directed that Kalenjin elders help mediate in a dispute regarding the final resting place of a woman whose body has been lying in the mortuary for the last six months.

Eldoret High Court judge Reuben Nyakundi directed that the elders, known as Myoot, help resolve the burial dispute pitting a son to the deceased, Catherine Jerotich, 65, and his stepmother Salina Kendagor.

Salina wants the court to order that the deceased be interred at her kin’s home while the deceased’s son, Justus Kosgey, wants his mother to be buried on their late father, Barnabas Kendagor’s land next to the grave of his late brother Stanley Kiplagat.

Yesterday, Justice Nyakundi referred the dispute to the elders, led by Major (Rtd) John Seii after the feuding parties through their lawyers Andrew Kibii and Ngigi Mbugua consented to the mediation process.

The elders are expected to report to court on August 27 to confirm the progress of the mediation efforts and inform the court whether the burial site has been agreed upon.

Justice Nyakundi stated that he was ready to adopt the outcome of the agreement reached between the warring parties in the matter with a view to bringing peace among the conflicting family members.

“I am happy that after your discussion with your lawyers you have decided to try an alternative dispute mechanism which is also allowed under Kenyan law. I will be part of the entire process to help you come up with a resolution that will be more cohesive and which will not destabilize the family,” argued Nyakundi.