Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga sparked laughter at Nyayo Stadium on Friday after joking that he married his second wife to help him with massages as his first wife was getting older.
Speaking during the national funeral service for his late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Oburu lightened the somber mood with humour that drew loud cheers from mourners.
Introducing his two wives to the crowd, Oburu said he feared domestic consequences if he failed to acknowledge them publicly.
“This is Dr. Ann Ayoo Oburu, a paediatrician — the woman who took me from boyhood to manhood,” he said fondly while introducing his first wife.
Turning to his second wife, he added with a grin, “This is Judith Oburu, she works with NSSF and is a qualified accountant. I thought that at my age, I didn’t want Ann to scratch or massage me, so I brought her a helper.”
The remarks sent the crowd roaring with laughter, momentarily lifting the heavy air of mourning that had filled the stadium.
Beyond the jokes, Oburu delivered a deeply emotional tribute to his brother, describing Raila as his closest friend, adviser, and lifelong companion.
He recalled their shared upbringing, saying they grew up “almost like twins,” with just over a year between them in age.
The senator also revealed that Raila’s death came on his own birthday, making the loss even more personal.
Oburu praised his brother’s integrity and discipline, remembering him as a man who valued truth and never tolerated deceit. “If you came to him with lies, his left hand was very fast,” he said, drawing laughter once again.
He also described Raila as the protector of their family always standing up for him and their late brother Agola. Though older, Oburu admitted he always looked up to Raila as his political mentor and leader.
Now chosen by the ODM Party to succeed Raila, Oburu vowed to continue his brother’s legacy with honor and humility. “I may never fill his shoes completely,” he said, “but I will do my best to walk in his path.”
