Kisumu dad blows over Sh1 million on son’s first birthday

 The former altar boy and tout said he grew up when only biscuits and Quencher juice were served during birthday parties

They say Ujaluo ni gharama (being a Luo is an expense) and one man who lived to the adage is a father who has left Kisumu residents and Kenyans on social media dazed by the glitz and glamour that went into his son’s first birthday.

Businessman Douglas Owila, popularly known as ‘Daggy Owila,’ an MCA aspirant for the Migosi ward organised, a two-day party for his son, Rayan Owila, which was attended by the who-is-who in the lakeside city’s entertainment scene.

When The Nairobian caught up with the soft-spoken owner of a fleet of tuk-tuk taxis and boda bodas in Kisumu, he said he wanted to build a legacy for his son and what better way to start it than by throwing him a bash he will live to remember even beyond Kenya’s Vision 2030.

The bash held at Royal City hotel in Kisumu cost Sh1.2 million, with the first “party held on Friday evening as a preliminary warm up to the main event on Saturday.” Rayan is the second child, but first son of the aspiring politician whose wife runs boutiques in the city.

“On Saturday, the party started for the children of the guests who attended the invite-only event. Later in the evening, the party was for adults,” he revealed, adding that the African theme dress code for the party was inspired by his desire to raise Rayan to cherish his African roots.

The guests were treated to delicacies and entertainment by a group of traditional dancers who have also been featured in Vicmass Luo Dollar’s music video.

Daggy who was once an altar boy at Kibuye Catholic Church and at some point a tout, said he grew up when birthdays were biscuits and quencher juice affairs and thus, wanted his son to know there was a different life for which he has worked hard for.

The party drew the usual reaction expected of Kenyans online. A popular blogger charged that Daggy Owila was raising his son like a spoilt brat. Some people however felt that one’s hard-earned quid can be spent the best way one knows how.

Douglas refuted claims that he is teaching his son extravagance.

“Rayan gifted his guests with the Tuli flour and the proceeds from the flour we bought will go to charity. That is the boy I am bringing up, to live life but help the needy,” he said.