Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga was left furious when ODM MPs Babu Owino and Boyd Were disrupted her sister’s funeral at Kango Ka Jaramogi.
Their arrival sparked loud cheers and vuvuzelas, forcing Ruth to pause her eulogy as mourning turned into chaos.
The funeral was for Beryl Achieng Odinga, who passed away at 68 after a short illness. She was known for her quiet philanthropy and work empowering women in Siaya.
Hundreds of mourners attended, including Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who had cut short a Dubai trip to pay his respects.
Ruth was speaking about her sister’s peaceful life when a convoy arrived carrying the two MPs. Youthful supporters erupted into noise, waving ODM flags and blowing vuvuzelas, drowning out Ruth’s words.
She called the act shameful and inappropriate, expressing anger at the lack of respect for the grieving family.
The master of ceremony intervened, asking those with vuvuzelas to stop and ordering security to clear the main tent of extra personnel.
Ruth tried to continue her remarks but remained visibly upset. She said the disruption dishonored her sister and turned mourning into embarrassment.
The incident highlighted tensions within ODM following Raila Odinga’s death. Babu Owino has been seen as a rising youth leader challenging party elders, while Boyd, a newcomer, has aligned with him, amplifying the perception of a youth faction.
Their presence at the funeral was viewed by many as a political show rather than genuine mourning.
The funeral, meant to honor Beryl Odinga quietly, instead exposed deep rifts in the family and party. Many mourners left under a cloudy sky still talking about the disruption and its impact on the grieving family.
