Thousands of Kenyans who are attending Raila Odinga’s burial in Bondo might have something to eat afterwards, elders have warned.
Unlike the multi-day feasts and large gatherings typical in Luo Nyanza, Odinga’s burial will have no slaughtering of animals or large-scale cooking for mourners.
According to elders, the decision follows Raila’s personal wish for simplicity and financial restraint.
“Raila Odinga believed that death should not burden families or communities financially. He often told us funerals should be simple, and resources should not be wasted to feed crowds,” Lou Council of Elders in Bondo Sub-County chairman Maurice Oloo said
The elder said, under Luo traditions, neighbours are supposed to be the ones feeding the mourners and not the bereaved family, Raila’s family in this case,
“When one died, there was no budget, villagers brought foodstuffs to the family until the mourning ended. The bereaved family was not allowed to do anything,” Oloo explained
