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Raila Jr installed as head of Raila's family

Oburu Odinga explained that as the family patriarch, he remained the overall cultural leader of the Odinga clan.

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by FAITH MATETE

News23 October 2025 - 12:20
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In Summary


  • Speaking as the cultural head of the larger Odinga family, Senator Oburu Odinga clarified the meaning of the day's event.
  • He emphasised that it was not about politics or public leadership, but about preserving the sacred traditions that define the home and the family’s place in Luo culture.
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Raila Junior affirming his position during the ceremony held at Opodo Farm on October 23, 2025/FAITH MATETE

At the Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's home in Opoda farm Bondo, a deeply symbolic ceremony is unfolding, one that marks a significant moment in the continuation of lineage, culture, and family leadership.

Speaking as the cultural head of the larger Odinga family, Senator Oburu Odinga clarified the meaning of the day's event, emphasising that it was not about politics or public leadership, but about preserving the sacred traditions that define the home and the family’s place in Luo culture.

“The seat of power in this home now rests with the new leader Raila Junior, together with his mother,” he declared.

“The mother will always be there to offer guidance and wisdom, but the young man must stand firm and lead this home. That is our culture.”

He explained that, as the family patriarch, he remained the overall cultural leader of the Odinga clan, a role he held even during the lifetime of the late family patriarch, just as his own father had before him.

This passing of the mantle, he said, was rooted in ritual and guided by time-honoured customs.

According to the Luo tradition, the fourth day after burial holds special significance.

“My brother was buried on Sunday last week,” he noted.

Raila Junior is made to sit on the traditional chair/Faith Matete

Counting from that day, last night marked the fourth night. This is when the funeral officially ends.

Daughters who are married elsewhere return to their homes, and the sons, who have been staying here through the mourning period, are now free to return to their households.

Oburu described the day as a moment of transition, both spiritually and culturally echoing practices observed even when their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, passed away.

“We do not disregard culture. Even in the Bible, you find stories of blessings of Jacob and Esau, of fathers passing their blessings to sons. In our way too, blessings are given through ceremony, often marked by symbolic acts such as slaughtering animals or shaving to signify cleansing and continuity.”

As the ceremony proceeded, the family prepared to perform the traditional shaving ritual a symbolic act marking renewal and the start of new responsibility.

Shaving of Raila Junior's hair to mark a symbolic act marking renewal and the start of a new responsibility/Faith Matete

“Junior will go through the ritual,” he explained, adding that it will begin with a little shaving, done by one of his grandmothers. After that, he will receive the instruments of power the symbols that affirm his role as the new head of the home.”

He urged everyone present to understand the importance of the ritual, clarifying that it was not tied to superstition but to culture and faith.

“This is not witchcraft, it is simply a blessing, the way our people have always done it. Religion does not stand against culture; the two must go hand in hand,”  he said firmly.

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