Sh150, 000 ‘flying casket’ causes a stir in Kondele

By Jabali Media

Residents of Kondele in Kisumu on Wednesday witnessed a rare spectacle as a coffin resembling an aeroplane with a body inside was displayed, before being transported to Migori county for burial.   

The casket, bearing the design of a plane complete with a siren was crafted by Simon Aruwa and a team of carpenters in honour of his late brother.

He said his elder brother was an innovative guy, an artist per excellence, settling on resting him in an ‘aeroplane coffin’ as a befitting sendoff.

“My brother was very good in designing things and even drawing and portraying the picture in a very clear way,” he said.  

The carpenters burned the middle oil to complete the coffin within two weeks. Aruwa said the coffin costed Sh150, 000, with wood as the major raw material.  

“I got great support from members of my family and my colleagues. Without them, this would not have been possible,” he added.

Martini Omondi, one of the carpenters behind the aeroplane casket said no man is limited.

“Anyone can come with whatever he or she thinks, it is possible. We decided to come up with this design to see if it will be attractive only to realize that it has caught the attention of several people,” he stated.

James Otieno did wiring within the casket, making it possible for the siren to work. “We did wiring using a battery,” he said, adding that the siren will not be removed from the casket during burial.  

Scholastica Awino, a resident was amazed with the work put in by the carpenters, prompting her to state she would like to be laid to rest in such a casket.

“Today I have seen a casket that I have never seen in my life,” she remarked.

She urged Kisumu leaders to support the carpenters in a bid to boost their craft.