Siaya, Kenya — A wave of outrage has swept across Siaya after a group of youths reportedly forced their way into Raila Odinga’s gravesite and danced over floral tributes laid in his memory.
Senator Oburu Odinga, the late opposition leader’s elder brother, condemned the incident in a strongly worded statement, describing it as both shameful and spiritually dangerous.
“Respect the dead… Respect the graveyard,” Oburu said solemnly at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, where Raila was buried. “It is not our culture to mock the dead. Such behaviour can lead to a curse.”
Witnesses said the group entered the site without permission and disrupted the quiet resting place, prompting anger from locals and a swift reaction from the Odinga family. Videos of the incident — now circulating online — have drawn widespread criticism, with many calling for accountability and respect for sacred spaces.
Oburu, visibly emotional, appealed to the youth to reflect on their actions. “Behave well and do not repeat it again,” he warned, invoking ancestral wisdom about honouring the dead and protecting their peace.
The senator’s words echo a deep cultural belief in many Kenyan communities — that the dead must be treated with reverence. Disturbing a grave, elders say, brings not only shame but also misfortune.
The Odinga family, steeped in Luo tradition and national history, has called for calm as they continue to mourn Raila Odinga — a man whose death marked the end of an era in Kenyan politics.
Local leaders have also weighed in, urging restraint and cultural sensitivity. “This is not about politics,” one community elder told The Nation. “It’s about our values as a people. We must remember where we come from.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether any arrests have been made following the disturbance. However, security around the gravesite has reportedly been tightened to prevent further incidents.
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