Why Luo elders divided over burial site for Raila Odinga's sister
Nyanza
By
Isaiah Gwengi
| Dec 04, 2025
Beryl Achieng, the younger sister to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, will be buried at her father’s homestead in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Bondo.
Achieng will be laid to rest on December 6, 2025, beside her late mother Mary Juma Odinga, in what the family describes as a private cemetery within the Odinga homestead.
A memorial service for the late Achieng was held at the Consolata Shrine, Westlands, on Wednesday. Her body will be flown to Kisumu International Airport on Friday for a brief public viewing before the cortege proceeds to Bondo by road ahead of Saturday’s burial.
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However, the decision by the Odinga family has sparked sharp debate among Luo elders and cultural observers.
A section of Luo elders who spoke to The Standard argued that a married woman should be buried at her husband’s homestead.
The late Achieng was first married to Otieno Ambala in 1974 but later divorced him before his death in 1985 at Kodiaga Prison. At the time of her death, she was the widow of John Tamisayi Mungwari.
Last week, Achieng’s nephew, Raila Odinga Junior, announced the burial arrangements following a family meeting attended by Oburu Oginga, Betty Oginga, Susan Oginga, and Omondi Odinga.
“With the blessings of my uncle Oburu, we agreed that my late aunt would be buried at Kang’o,” he said.
But yesterday, elders argued that the late Achieng should have been buried either in Gem, the home of her first husband, or in Zimbabwe, where she later lived.
This followed an online debate, with an elderly woman, Anyango Jabalo, urging the Luo Council of Elders to intervene.
She said the late Achieng cannot be buried like a girl who was never married, arguing that she should be buried in her husband’s home.
According to Luo traditions, burial location is guided by strict rules based on gender, marital status, and homestead ownership.
“Men are buried on the right side of the homestead, women on the left, while unmarried daughters are often buried along the fence,” said Mzee Odida Buoga, an elder.
He added that the late Achieng should be buried either in Gem or purchase land elsewhere for her burial, but not inside her father’s homestead.
“The role that the Gem people ought to have played in this case was to provide a place for burial. Any other thing like food to be eaten at the funeral should be from Achieng’s family,” explained Buoga.
Another elder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argued that the Odinga family has on several occasions ignored tradition, warning that this could invite misfortune into the family.
“The family might have their own reasons for doing so, but culturally, it will affect the family heavily. The bad spirit will affect sons and daughters of this family,” said the elder.
Some family members, however, defended the decision, saying tradition should not be selectively applied to attack the bereaved.
“These decisions are made through wide consultations by elders. Culture should not be used to demonize a family in mourning,” said Emily Oginga, Achieng’s younger sister.