In the modern age of social media, funerals can take on a different tone, especially for individuals who have shared intimate details of their lives to a large following.
This was the case for Brian Chira, a 23-year-old TikTok personality from Kenya, who tragically died in a road accident near Nairobi two weeks ago.
Chira had amassed a significant following of over 400,000 fans in just over a year with his candid and witty videos addressing social and relationship issues.
Known as the “Chira Clan,” his fans wanted to pay tribute after his untimely death and helped contribute to a funeral fund, which raised over $60,000 for his burial.
However, the funeral in his remote village of Gitei, in central Kenya, was overwhelmed by thousands of fans who flooded the event. Originally planned for 500 people, the number of attendees swelled to more than 5,000, surprising organizers.
While the youths were praised for their support, some attendees reportedly misbehaved, with villagers describing the crowd as massive and unruly.
Religious figures struggled to lead the burial service as some attendees shoved others out of the way to livestream, record videos, and take selfies around Chira’s gravesite.
Chira’s life had been marked by challenges, including being orphaned in childhood and having to drop out of university due to a lack of fees. Despite his struggles, he used his platform to share his personal experiences with engaging honesty, which resonated with many.
However, his online presence was not without controversy, and he had faced legal issues, including arrest and charges for cyber-harassment against another TikToker. His choice to wear women’s clothes in some videos also sparked outrage among some viewers.
Chira’s funeral highlighted the complexities of mourning in the digital age, with his fans’ overwhelming presence overshadowing the traditional customs and respect for the deceased.
Critics argued that the TikTokers had abandoned Chira during his life struggles only to celebrate his death, leaving some villagers and family members disappointed and shocked by their behavior.
Despite the challenges, the funeral fund raised for Chira’s burial was used to cover expenses and was intended to support his family, including constructing or buying a house for his grandmother. However, the events surrounding his funeral have sparked a debate about the impact of social media on mourning and the boundaries of online fan culture.
