Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ finally laid to rest

Posted  Friday, November 28, 2014 |  by- MAURICE KALUOCH

Senator Otieno Kajwang’ was finally laid to rest at 4.05pm in his Waondo Village home in Mbita,

Family members and Cord leaders watch as the coffin bearing Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang's body is lowered into the grave on November 28, 2014. Mr Kajwang' was laid to rest at 4.05pm in his Waondo Village home in Mbita, Homa Bay County. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

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Senator Otieno Kajwang’ was finally laid to rest at 4.05pm in his Waondo Village home in Mbita, Homa Bay County.

The final burial ceremony was attended only by close family members and friends, church leaders, Cord leader Raila Odinga, senators Amos Wako and Moses Wetang'ula and governors Cyprian Awiti and Jack Ranguma, among others.

There was a heavy presence of anti-riot police, who ensured that members of the public did not storm the home.

Ms Faith Vivian Otieno, who earlier said she was also a wife of the late senator, arrived at the graveside together with her son Ronnie Odinga Otieno and daughter Christie Akinyi Otieno.

Neither Faith nor her children were given the opportunity to lay wreaths.

She later led her children out of the home as Dr Rose Otieno and her children.

ISUKUTI DANCERS

Prior to the burial, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale led a group of Isukuti dancers into the late Kajwang's home.

The group danced around the grave and later entered the main house before finally leaving the home.

During the funeral ceremony, which started at 9am, security officers were evidently overwhelmed as dignitaries arrived with hired youths and their personal security detail.

Police officers, who were determined to keep law and order, were overwhelmed by the hundreds of youths present.

MPs who have been branded as rebels had to be sneaked inside the huge dome tent in an attempt to prevent possible ugly incidents from ODM supporters.

They included George Oner (Rangwe), James Rege (Karachuonyo) and Silvance Osele of Kabondo Kasipul.

But the arrival that caused a major stir was that of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who arrived clad in Luo traditional mourning gear that included a monkey skin and a spear.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero also made a dramatic entry inside the dome tent as his security detail ushered him in.

Others whose arrival caused a stir were Cord leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula.

By 11 am, the dome tent with a capacity of 10,000 people was packed to capacity as an equal number of mourners stood.