VIDEO: Emotional burial for beloved Utawala cat 'Roxy' gets netizens talking

A viral video of an unusually elaborate, highly emotional burial for a pet cat in Utawala, Nairobi, has stunned social media users and exposed a suspected poisoning spree in the estate.

Tearful relatives were captured on camera holding a formal farewell ceremony for the five-year-old feline, named Roxy, tenderly placing flowers on a freshly dug grave.

The sentimental funeral, which treated the cat with the solemnity typically reserved for human relatives, has sparked intense debate online over the lengths to which some families will go to mourn a pet.

Neighbours in Haven Court Estate remembered the grey-and-white cat for weaving between people’s feet, greeting visitors at the gate and basking on sunlit windowsills.

This is how this family from Utawala in Nairobi mourned the loss of their pet, a female cat named Roxy.
Roxy was allegedly poisoned. pic.twitter.com/jFzH4ceYOS

— Omwamba ?? (@omwambaKE) June 30, 2026

But while the family treated Roxy as a major source of emotional support, her dramatic send-off has shed light on a much darker situation unfolding in the neighborhood.

Following the viral footage of the burial, residents revealed that at least 11 cats and dogs have died mysteriously over the past two weeks, leaving families devastated and demanding answers.

Pet owners described similar scenes of emotional burials and children struggling to understand the sudden losses. Several of the animals were reportedly found bleeding from the mouth or nose, prompting residents to suspect deliberate poisoning rather than disease.

Owners said the pets were healthy and up to date on their vaccinations, ruling out common illnesses.

"Roxy was part of our family for five years," said Hannah Mbui, explaining how her cat disappeared before later being found dead. "She wasn't just a pet. She was our friend."

Other residents spoke of loyal dogs that guarded their homes and kept rodents away, saying their loss had left families both heartbroken and vulnerable.

Residents also fear the suspected poison could pose a danger to children who play outdoors.

The community is now calling on animal welfare organisations and security agencies to investigate the deaths, identify the suspected toxin and hold those responsible accountable.

Online, the lavish nature of the feline funeral has sparked heavily mixed reactions, with many social media users expressing sympathy while others expressed shock at the financial and emotional investment.

"I lost my cat too. We all understand it's painful to lose a pet," wrote an online user using the handle BookMania. "I had no money for such because the burial expenses would be so costly. RIP to Sue."