This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, Ken Okoth, the Kibra MP, was laid to rest in a cremation ceremony held in Kariokor, Nairobi, at 9am. The event was attended by his close family members, but his lover, Anne Thumbi, and her son with Okoth were not present, having opted to skip the event.
The cremation was in line with Okoth's wish, as expressed by his wife, Monica, but it was opposed by the Luo Council of Elders, who insisted that the burial arrangements must conform to Luo culture. The council's position was echoed by Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, who suggested that Okoth's body should be handed over to the family to determine its last rites.
However, the Luo Council of Elders, through Mr Nyandiko Ongadi, insisted that the burial arrangements must conform to Luo culture, and that Okoth's wife should not dictate the manner in which he should be given a send-off. Mr Ongadi stated, 'Our culture requires the wives of our sons to automatically adopt Luo practices,' and insisted that Okoth's wife, who is of European descent, should follow suit.
