Uhuru, Raila at Okuta’s burial

By Mangoa Mosota

Kisumu, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are among hundreds of mourners attending the funeral of the Kenya National Union of Teachers Union Secretary General David Okuta in Kisumu County.

The ceremony is currently taking place at Onjiko Primary School, about close to kilometres from his Tura Village.

President Uhuru arrived at the ceremony at 11.30am in a military chopper. Raila arrived much later.

There is heavy presence of security officers that include General Service
Unit (GSU).

The officers screened mourners at the entrance of the institution, while armed GSU officers were stationed on both sides a 200 metres feeder road to the school, from Ahero-Kericho Road.

A police chopper hovered lowly at the institution.

Okuta’s body was escorted to the school from his homestead of the Kenya Police Band, a few minutes after 10am.

The funeral venue was almost filled by 10.3Oam, in a place that was muddy and soggy due to rains last night.  Catholic Mass took place, with choirs presented songs.

Okuta, 61, passed on two weeks ago at a Nairobi hospital where he was admitted after ailing at his home. He leaves behind two widows and eight children.

Hundreds of teachers are attending the burial and most of them were transported to the venue in school buses.