Ida Odinga Lectures and Chases Away Rowdy Mourners
Drama unfolded during the funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s sister, Beryl Achieng, after a group of rowdy youth disrupted the proceedings.
The youth, who were accompanying Kasipul Member of Parliament Boyd Were, disrupted the ceremony held in Bondo on Saturday, December 6, while Kisumu County Women Representative Ruth Odinga was paying her tributes.
Moments before Boyd Were’s entrance, Mama Ida Odinga was forced to plead with rowdy youth to be silent or leave in respect for the late.
The noise prompted Ida to get out of her seat and intervene to quell the nuisance, lashing out at the mourners for turning a solemn event into a ground for politics.
Speaking on behalf of the broader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family, she urged the mourners to settle down, rebuking the unruly group for showing disrespect to those grieving.
She emphasized that the gathering was not a political platform and insisted it would not be allowed to turn into one.
“My name is Ida Odinga, and I’m talking on behalf of Jaramogi Odinga’s family. Young people are making noise outside the tent. I beg you to keep quiet. Let us send our sister in peace. We are not interested in your politics. We are not interested in your politics. Whether you are supporting a politician or not, we are not interested in that. The thing that has brought us here today is to lay our sister to rest,” she said.
Ida cautioned that anyone unwilling to maintain decorum should leave the venue. She added that simply being students of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) did not entitle anyone to disrupt the ceremony.
“If you come here, that’s not your sister. If she’s not related to you, please go away or keep quiet.”
Ruth Odinga condemns rowdy youth and leaders
Moments later, another drama unfolded when Ruth Odinga was making her address. As she speaks, a section of youth starts chanting while MP Were is seen making his way to the front row of the tent.
Were goes on to greet leaders, including Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as the youth continue to chant and blow vuvuzelas.
Ruth Odinga angrily addressed Were and the youth accompanying him.
“This is so shameful of our leaders. This is wrong (disrupting the burial of Beryl Odinga),” she said.
The disruption prompted the Master of the Ceremony to intervene, attempting to calm the crowd.
Ruth Odinga confirmed Beryl’s passing last month but did not disclose the cause of death. Beryl leaves behind four children: Ami, Auma, Chizi, and Taurai.
“It is with a heavy heart, but accepting the will of God, we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga. Daughter of the late Hon. Jaramogi Odinga and Mama Mary Ajuma Oginga. Mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taurai,” her family’s statement read in part.
“While we are deeply saddened by her demise and the immense void left in our lives, we take solace in the belief that she is safe in the Lord’s arms and are thankful for the invaluable gift of the time we were privileged to share with her and for the profound impact she had on all who knew her.”
Career
Beryl Achieng, the fourth-born in the Odinga family, completed Form Six in December 1972 before pursuing teacher training and later a law degree.
Despite belonging to one of Kenya’s most prominent political families, Beryl maintained a low public profile and avoided direct political engagement. Instead, she focused on public service, carving out a distinguished career.
She made history as Mutare’s first Black Town Clerk in Zimbabwe, becoming the first African to hold the top administrative position in Zimbabwe’s third-largest city.
After settling permanently in Zimbabwe, she rebuilt her career and went on to serve as Company Secretary at the Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
Upon returning to Kenya, she continued to take up leadership roles. In January 2020, she joined the board of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) and was later appointed its chairperson.
