Russian widow demands cremation of her late Luo husband

By Judy Ogutu                        

A widow who is engaged in a burial dispute with the family of her late husband yesterday broke down in court when she recalled how she cared for him prior to his demise.

Ms Svetlana Radol, who is a Russian, narrated before High Court Judge, Justice Weldon Korir how she took care of her late husband, Dr Joseph William Owino Radol for two years and eight months as he was ailing.

“I took care of him…..Only me. Nobody helped me except my children and their husbands…..nobody,” she said as her voice trailed off.

Svetlana was giving evidence in a case where a man claiming to be the late doctor’s brother is seeking to stop the cremation of the dentist, whose body is lying at the Lee Funeral Home.

Mr John Oleng Omondi is asking the court to declare that cremating his body is contrary to the Luo customary law. Omondi has moved to court together with Mr Charles Opondo Apuko.

Yesterday, the widow maintained in court that it was her husband’s wish to be cremated.