Colourful rites planned for Ker Willis Otondi burial

Elaborate cultural rites have been lined up for the burial of the Luo Council of Elders chairman Ker Willis Otondi on Saturday.

The rituals will be performed according to the Luo culture, which has been documented in culturalist Paul Mboya’s book Luo Kitgi gi Timbegi, a handbook of Luo culture and traditions.

In the book, there is a section that elaborates on the rites performed when ‘Jaduong’ — an elderly person — dies.

Before he is lowered into the grave, Luo elders will lead the community, family, and friends in a ceremony filled with a series of rites that will ensure the Ker’s life is celebrated while at the same time, the Luo culture is upheld.

The cultural rites were also adhered to on Thursday, when the body of the prominent Luo elder was taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex at the heart of Kisumu city for public viewing.

While the crowd grew impatient for the body to be taken to his Nyahera home, the elders present maintained that the body would only be taken at sunset.

“The body of Mzee is not allowed to enter his home when the sun is still up, we have to wait until dusk so that we adhere to the traditions. What is happening here today is not by chance, but normal, according to Luo traditions, and we are doing it to preserve culture so that the young people can learn,” said an elder, Mr James Ayaga.

After viewing, the procession left slowly at 3pm for Pap Okore Kogondo for the second viewing, then to Nyahera, where it will arrive at around 5.30pm, before leaving for Otondi’s home.

According to Mr Odungi Randa, a member of the Luo Council of Elders, Friday morning will be purely for cultural rites at the home of Otondi before he is buried on Saturday.