Sad but swift: Will Raila Odinga blaze trail for future Luo funerals?

The brief period between the death and burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has ignited a conversation among members of the Luo community about reducing funeral expenses.

Raila died on Wednesday, October 15 and was buried on Sunday, October 19.

The short duration between his death and interment elicited mixed reactions within his community. Many found the timeline unusual, especially when compared with the extended funerals held for elders of lesser stature.

During Raila's burial at his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga's home in Kang'o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, President William Ruto confirmed that the State had honoured the former Prime Minister's will, which stipulated that he be buried within 72 hours of his death.

Raila's swift burial has since sparked debate over whether the Luo should adopt a shorter burial period-such as 72 hours-or continue with the long-held tradition of long mourning periods.

Before and even after the Covid-19 restrictions on funeral gatherings were lifted, the cost of Luo burials has remained exorbitant. Funerals have evolved into an industry from which many people make a living. Catering companies, sound system providers, and other service providers often profit from these elaborate ceremonies.

But Raila's decision to be buried swiftly is being viewed by some as a deliberate attempt to cut down on funeral expenses.

Magayi Jonyo, Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders in Karachuonyo Constituency, said that delaying burial after death significantly increases costs. He argued that the shift from traditional practices-before the introduction of mortuaries-has made funerals far more expensive.

"Many years ago, before mortuaries were built, Luos would bury their loved ones within 48 to 72 hours," Jonyo explained. "Bodies were preserved at home using sand and banana fibre. Sand was placed on the floor, covered with banana fibre, and sprinkled with water to create a cool temperature before the body was laid on top. This preserved the body temporarily until burial."

The elder added that funerals were much cheaper in those days. Bereaved families did not cook during mourning; food was prepared by extended family or clan members.

"Cooking fires were forbidden in a bereaved home from the moment of death until burial," Jonyo said. "The bereaved ate food prepared by relatives or neighbours."

He lamented that today, families face enormous financial pressure to feed mourners from the day of death until the day of burial.

"Nowadays, if someone dies, mourners begin eating in the deceased's home immediately and continue until the burial day. If the burial is scheduled a month later, the family must feed mourners for all those days, which is extremely costly," he said.

Jonyo supported Raila's will, saying a shorter period between death and burial is both practical and economical.

"I agree with Raila's wish to be buried within 72 hours. It reduces unnecessary expenses. Imagine how much his family would have spent feeding the huge crowds that gathered at their home if the burial had been delayed by a month," he added.

Walter Opiyo, 69, a resident of Rangwe sub-county and head of Homa Bay County Bunge La Wenye Nchi, agreed with the sentiments.

He argued that prolonged funeral arrangements lead to financial ruin in some households. "If a family's breadwinner dies and burial is delayed for five weeks, the little resources available is spent feeding mourners. Even money meant for school fees may end up being used for funeral costs," Opiyo said.

He urged the Luo community to emulate Raila's example and bury their loved ones within two or three days of death, saying, "Funeral expenses are driving many families into poverty."

However, not everyone agreed. Some felt that the former Prime Minister's burial was rushed.

Moses Bala, a resident of Nyatike Constituency in Migori County, said Raila should have been buried at least two and a half weeks after his death.

"As an 80-year-old Luo elder and a revered national leader, Raila was buried too soon," Bala said.

Elder Michael Onyango Otieno shared this view and filed a petition at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi seeking to delay the burial. He argued that the State's decision to bury Raila so quickly violated Article 44 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to participate in cultural life and enjoy their traditions.

However, Justice Chacha Mwita dismissed the petition, ruling that Otieno had failed to provide sufficient grounds to halt the burial.