Video of Oburu Oginga Explaining Why They Buried Beryl Without Following Cultural Requirements Emerges

Raila Odinga’s sister, Beryl Achieng, died on November 25 from cancer, and was buried in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi
His funeral plans left many criticizing the family for going against traditional wishes by choosing to bury him at his father’s home.
A video of Beryl’s older brother, Oburu Oginga highlighting the reason why their family made that decision, has resurfaced

A video of Siaya senator Oburu Oginga explaining why they decided to bury their sister, Beryl Achieng, Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, has emerged.

Oburu Oginga explained why they buried Beryl Achieng in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi. Photo: Oburu Oginga, Beryl Achieng.
Source: UGC

Beryl died on November 25 after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind three children and grandchildren.

When the news about his burial place emerged, several elders from the Luo community came forward to express their concern as to why the family was neglecting cultural requirements.

According to Luo culture, a witch or a married woman cannot be buried in her father’s compound. Some families bury their relatives outside their father’s compound.

Oburu’s video explained why they chose to bury Beryl at home and some of the steps they took to continue following Luo traditions.

Why was Beryl Achieng buried in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi?

According to Oburu, at that time, people bought land where they did many things, including farming, but there have been many changes that have resulted in houses and buildings built of stone.

“There is no way you will demolish buildings to bury people. All areas will be urban where people will live. That’s why you have to start thinking about cemeteries. That’s why Jaramogi thought of that for our people. And where he showed us, all our people will be buried,” he added.

Oburu further explained that the concept was shared by his uncle Abisai, who noted that his father was not forward thinking because he had not yet set aside the land for the cemetery.

“We know the Luo culture still exists, but the world is changing. It’s not that we don’t know the culture. We know that the sister is not married at home. She is buried behind the house. With her head facing back. And we know she will be buried with her head facing back. We must enter a little modernity. Are we going to throw our sister away yet, the graves were already separated? So, if I made a mistake, forgive me. Those who like can do what we do, and those who don’t like can do what they want,” he said more.

What did Ruth Odinga’s nephew say during Bery’s funeral?

Elsewhere, the eldest son of Ruth OdingaSankara Busia, delighted netizens after asking the Jaramogi family to avoid meeting only during the funeral.

He claimed that they needed to create a stable family that could produce another Beryl or Raila to continue the family legacy.

Sankara further noted that Beryl was like a surrogate mother to him and recalled how she took care of their mother when she fell ill during the Covid-19 period.