What started as a somber funeral in Kisii turned unexpectedly light when Governor Simba Arati’s wife, Kwamboka, sparked a round of laughter.
Right in the middle of a speech by Dennis Sonko, she cut in with a grin and told him he’d have to cough up KSh 20,000 if he wanted another five minutes at the microphone.
The crowd wasn’t ready for that. People who’d just been quiet and reflective suddenly cracked up.
Dennis Sonko didn’t miss a beat he jumped right in on the joke, which got the crowd cheering and laughing even harder. For a minute, the heaviness in the air lifted. People let themselves relax and smile, even in the middle of a tough day.
Nobody took offense. In fact, folks said that quick, funny moment actually brought everyone closer together. Kwamboka’s sense of humor felt genuine she just has a way of connecting with people, even when emotions are raw.
Later, mourners said that little burst of laughter helped them breathe a bit easier. Funerals aren’t just about grieving; they’re also about supporting each other, and sometimes a laugh is exactly what people need.
Governor Arati watched the scene unfold, smiling as the crowd enjoyed the break in sadness.
Before long, everyone was talking about Kwamboka and her knack for reading the room—she knew just how to lighten things up without crossing any lines.
In a place where you mostly expect silence and tears, that quick moment of joy stuck with people. Even in grief, joy finds its way in.