This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
Ohangla musician Lady Maureen's fans were left disappointed after plans for a night vigil ahead of her burial on Saturday fell through.
According to family spokesperson and Lady Maureen's brother Charles Ochieng, the body was initially set to be transferred from Ojele Memorial Hospital mortuary to Kopanga village on Friday, but large crowds gathered at the morgue and at her home, raising concerns about security and health amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We made abrupt changes to the initial plans after we were told that taking the body home would pose a health risk to mourners who had already crowded the place," Charles Ochieng said.
Family members, friends, fans, and other musicians thronged the morgue to view the body of the musician who died last Saturday, including seasoned Benga musician Princess Jully and Ohangla musicians Osogo Winyo, Elisha toto, and Musa Jakadala.
"An ardent artiste who thrived in a male-dominated genre," they eulogised Lady Maureen.
Mourners who spoke to the Nation said they were disappointed by the turn of events, with one of them, Claire Achieng, saying, "We travelled all the way from Nairobi to console the family and dance to her songs ahead of her sendoff."
Family and friends of the late Ohangla musician Lady Maureen at Ojele Memorial Hospital mortuary in Migori on July 17, 2020. PHOTO | IAN BYRON | NATION MEDIA GROUP
