Kalonzo delivers 100 cattle to Raila’s Opoda Farm in traditional honour

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his delegation arrive at Raila odinga's Opoda Farm home in Bondo to pay tribute to the former Prime Minister,

In Luo customs, visiting the home of a deceased elder or great leader with cattle is part of a sacred ritual known as Tero Buru.

The ceremony’s purpose is to symbolically drive away evil spirits or misfortunes associated with death, while cleansing the home and the community.

The presence of cattle — particularly bulls — signifies that the departed was a highly respected, courageous, and influential figure.

Armed with a shield and spear, the former Vice President and his delegation — which included Kitui Senator Enock Wambua and governors and MPs from Ukambani — walked into the Odinga homestead to chants of “Jowi! Jowi!”

The chant, meaning buffalo, is a traditional exclamation of valour, used to hail a great warrior in Luo culture.

Raila, who was laid to rest on October 19 after a state funeral attended by local and international dignitaries, has continued to draw tributes from across Kenya’s political divide.Natembeya noted that the gesture also mirrored an act of friendship two decades earlier, when Raila took bulls to Kitale in 2003 to honour the late Vice President Michael Wamalwa Kijana during his funeral.

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi also delivered several bulls to the Odinga home ahead of the burial.

“We appreciate the love and respect we had for Rt. Honourable Raila Amollo Odinga,” Osotsi said. “The region loved him, and therefore we came together and decided to pay our last respects in a special, traditional wOn October 17, a delegation of Kalenjin leaders presented 80 bulls to the Odinga family to symbolise the 80 years Raila lived, in a powerful expression of unity and shared respect between the Kalenjin and Luo communities.

The cattle were also meant to assist with funeral logistics and feasting during the elaborate ceremonies.

On the eve of the burial, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya led another delegation, accompanied by DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, in presenting 15 cows and several bags of maize.