This is not a rally”: Ida Odinga calls for order at Beryl’s burial

Mama Ida Odinga has called for calm and respect during the burial of her late sister-in-law, Beryl Odinga, urging mourners to refrain from disruptions.

Speaking at the funeral on Saturday, Mama Ida addressed young people gathered outside the tent.

“Be quiet a little. The young people outside the tent. The young people who came with the politicians. My name is Ida Odinga, and I’m talking on behalf of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family," she said.

"Young people who are making noise outside the tent, I beg you to keep quiet. Let us send our sister in peace."

She stressed that the occasion, held in Bondo, was not a political gathering but a family in mourning.

 “We are not interested in your politics. Whether you’re supporting a politician or not, we are not interested in that," she said.

"The thing that has brought us here today is to lay our sister to rest. If you come here, she’s not your sister or relative. Please go away or keep quiet."

Noting that some of the young people were students, she said, "This does not give you the right to come and disrupt our sister’s funeral."

Beryl's sister, Dr Akinyi Wenwa, also noted with sadness the effect that the disruption was causing. 

"Politicians, you're spoiling our sister's burial. Some of us are not Politicians," she said.

"Politicians, I want to plead with you. If you know that your people are going to disrupt functions, why don't you come early? You're not being fair."

The area MCA Tabu Osewe Odinga also expressed her disappointment over the disruption.

"What has happened here is not fair to the Odinga family. In case anybody paid somebody to come and cheer when he or she is coming in, when we're mourning Aunt Beryl, it is cheap and desperate of you," she said.

Beryl Odinga, sister to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was remembered as a peaceful, confident, brave and professional individual. 

Speakers at the funeral recounted personal memories that highlighted her intelligence, courage, and principled life. 

Wenwa said on one occasion, Beryl stood up to their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga

Throughout her life, Beryl balanced her professional career with a commitment to family and personal integrity, earning the respect of colleagues, relatives, and friends alike.

The funeral drew family, friends, and leaders who paid tribute to her life and legacy, emphasising the importance of sending her off in peace.