Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ mourned in style as Luo tradition takes centre stage

Hundreds of thousands of mourners thronged Waondo Primary School Friday for the burial of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’.

The burial was conducted in line with the Luo tradition.

Elders took the lead as politicians led by CORD leader Raila Odinga chanted a local dirge: Jowi Jowi Jowi Jowi (meaning, buffalo) to demonstrate that Kajwang was a hero. Women would follow, wailing, ‘wololololololo uwiiiiiiiiii! wololololololo uwiiiiiiiiii.’

Mourners wore special regalia and carried swords, clubs, shields, spears and fly-whisks as they moved round right from the late Kajwang’s house to the gate and back.

The Luo traditional dance, attracted the attention of many as people dressed in costume made of feathers took to stage.

It was not clear exactly how much money was spent on the burial arrangements. In what is believed in the Luo community as a sign of a leader who used to dine with people in his home, the burial committee and the family slaughtered about 80 bulls, 200 goats and sheep, 1,000 chicken, besides fish for the mourners.

To fulfill the Luo culture, which dictates that people must feed in funerals, 15 tents were erected to provide shelter for mourners to eat.

Co-ordinating Committee Chairman George Mboya said the culture dictates that the burial of a man of Kajwang’s caliber had to be conducted such that the ceremony makes his spirit happy as the community believes in life after death.

“I want to tell Kenyans that we did not come here to feed people but the fantastic feeding programme is aimed at perpetuating Kajwang’s legacy of dining together with people,” Mr Mboya said.

Even Senators and Members of the National Assembly from the Jubilee coalition set aside their political differences and made significant contributions to the burial.

Homa Bay County Government provided tents, public address system, chairs and catered for transport for the body from Nairobi to Kajwang’s residence.

Residents described Kajwang’s burial as an unprecedented in the entire South Nyanza region. Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo said the burial could only be compared to that of former Labour Minister Tom Mboya on Rusinga Island in the same constituency, about 20km away from Kajwang’s home.

“Kajwang has been given an outstanding send off. History of this region reveals that it can only be compared to that of the late Tom Mboya but it is slightly greater,” Ms Odhiambo said.

The funeral service was conducted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Waondo Primary School and all CORD principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula and other political leaders were present.

Even as leaders mourned Senator Otieno Kajwang’, security concerns featured prominently in the speeches.

Majority of the Members of Parliament (MPs) who attended the funeral service at Waondo Primary School lashed at the Jubilee administration over the runaway insecurity in the country.

The legislators from the two Houses concurred that Kajwang’ was passionate about security, going by his last contribution in the Senate over the Kapedo killings in Baringo County.

“The Jubilee government has failed to provide security. This government has demonstrated it has failed to protect lives and property of Kenyans and should, therefore, step aside,” said Homabay County MP Gladys Wanga.

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, stressed that the first obligation of any government is to ensure the security of a country is guaranteed.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta has no business leading this country if he cannot protect the lives of the people he governs. He should stay at home and allow those who can lead to do so,” said the Senator.

He added, “We are not asking for any favours from the government to protect us, because it is our right to be protected.”

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale took a swap at the Jubilee administration, saying it has let the country down on security.

“It is evident we have a Public Relations president in office. This is not what he swore to do when he took the mantle of leadership of this country, If President Uhuru Kenyatta cannot manage the security, we will not hesitate to initiate an impeachment process against him,” he said.

He added, “We are going to field many questions to the president and if he cannot answer, we will be left with no option but to send him packing.”

Dr Khalwale cited Article 145 and 135 of the Constitution, which set grounds for removal from office of a State officer who fails to discharge his duties as stipulated in the Constitution.

Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi almost found himself at cross roads with the mourners, when he defended the president over claims he has failed on the security. “The Government is on top of things, it is true to the fight against insecurity. Kenyans should unite in finding solutions to the runaway insecurity. The government is equal to the task.” he said.

Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o challenged the Government to live up to its expectation and defend Kenyans fearlessly as President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto swore to do.