- Raila Odinga Junior was installed as the new head family four days after his father was buried at the Kang’o Ka Jaramogi
- Before his installation, rituals like the shaving done by his grandmother and the giving of the special instruments of power were performed
- During the ceremony, Siaya senator Oburu Oginga took the opportunity to explain the purpose of the ceremony and the rituals performed
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya
Raila Odinga Junior, the son of the former prime minister, has been installed as the new head of the Raila family.
Source: Facebook
This comes four days after the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, was buried at the Kang’o Ka Jaramogi Mausoleum next to his parents.
During the installation ceremony that happened in Bondo, the Siaya county senator and Raila’s brother, Oburu Oginga, explained the importance of the ceremony.
Importance of Raila Odinga Junior’s installation
Speaking on Thursday, October 23, Oburu said the ceremony was held to allow Junior to assume the leadership and take the mantle of Raila family.
He further stated that for the installation to happen, a shaving ritual must be conducted, where Raila Junior was shaved by his grandmother
“You will go through the rituals. It will start with a little shaving. I know Mama Ida might not want to be shaved. But Junior, we will do a little shaving for you and your wife,” Oburu said.
After the shaving ceremony, Raila Junior was presented with a traditional spear and shield, symbols of power in the Luo community.
“Once the little shaving is done, then you are going to be given the necessary instruments of power, and you will display them. Then things will continue, and it won’t be long,” Oburu told Raila Junior.
Oburu further instructed Raila Junior to stand firm and lead the household with the counsel of his mother, Ida Odinga, in accordance with Luo traditions.
What rituals were performed during Junior’s installation?
The grandmother, seated next to Junior, was given a razor, which she used to shave a small part of his head
A barber then took over to shave the rest of Junior’s head as part of the ritual performed on sons after their father died in the Luo community.
The shaving symbolises the start of something new in the homestead.
Junior was then allowed to sit on the ‘throne’ to signify the new role he had taken in the family.
Afterwards, a bull was presented before him, before Junior and his close relatives walked to his father’s grave at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
Raila Junior speaks after Kikuyu elders’ visit
This came hours after Junior reacted to the Kikuyu elders visiting his father’s grave to pay their final respects.
Source: Facebook
Junior expressed his gratitude to them, thanking them for their courtesy visit and extending invitations to Kenyans.
The Kikuyu leaders’ courtesy visit came a day after the Nyeri governor, Mutahi Kahiga, made a controversial remark seemingly celebrating Raila’s death.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
