THE cultural trip to London by family members of former Vice President Michael Wamalwa brings to mind the traditions displayed during his burial in 2003.
The Bukusu community and the Baengele clan in particular went to great lengths to ensure it heeded the rich traditions accorded to men of his standing.
They first rejected attempts to make Wamalwa the first top Kenyan buried at the upcoming Heroes' Square next to the Carnivore Restaurant, off Lang'ata Road.
When the body arrived in Kitale, the Baengele clan took charge.
They dictated what time the body would get into the compound, despite having landed at the Kitale airstrip at 3pm.
The body eventually made its way to the compound in Kitale town after darkness.
The clan also dictated how the grave was to be dug and the position it was to take in the compound, much to the shock of government functionaries.
The best cultural practices were saved for the burial day.
While the Catholic church ran the service, the rest of the ceremony was full of African traditions.
Raila Odinga, then one of Wamalwa's political rivals, arrived in Luo regalia to mourn a king.
He had a lorry load of bulls and bags of maize handed to the Wamalwa family.
Before he took his seat, he ran around the Kitale ASK stadium in a mock fight with the spirits of death.
At the home where Wamalwa was buried, the Baengele checked the grave.
The body was supposed to face the gate to ensure the deceased would "see" everyone who walked through it.
So Wamalwa's generation would continue, they ensured his private parts were placed on his right thigh.
