- Raila Odinga Junior takes family leadership mantle in a Luo traditional event.
- Ceremony held at the Odinga family home in Bondo, Siaya County.
- Senator Oburu Odinga explains the role is cultural, not political.
- Raila Junior receives a shield and spear, symbolising authority at home.
A new chapter has begun in the Odinga household after Raila Odinga Junior was officially installed as the head of the Raila Odinga family. The colourful traditional event took place on Thursday, October 23, at their family home in Bondo, Siaya County, a week after the burial of the late opposition leader.
The occasion followed Luo customs and marked the official handover of leadership to the late Prime Minister’s son.
During the ceremony, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga described the event as a cultural transition of home leadership and not a political one.
“This is a traditional event to hand over the seat of power at home to my brother’s son. He will now lead this home, with his mother beside him for guidance. He must take responsibility and keep the home united,” said Oburu.
Oburu further clarified that the larger Odinga family still remains under his chairmanship, just as it was during Raila’s lifetime.
“This is purely home leadership, not political. The extended Odinga family, which I chair, continues under my guidance,” he added.
According to the Luo tradition, the family head is officially installed after four nights following a burial. Senator Oburu explained that the timing was culturally significant.
“Today marks the fourth day since my brother’s burial, which means, as per our tradition, the mourning period ends today,” he noted.
As part of the ceremony, Raila Junior’s head was shaved by his grandmother, symbolising cleansing and renewal. He was then dressed in traditional Luo attire and handed a shield and spear, both signs of authority and family protection.
The event brought together family members, community elders, and several politicians who came to witness the continuation of the Odinga legacy. It was both emotional and symbolic, showing the strength of family unity after loss.
The late Raila Odinga was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, at his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo. His burial was private, attended by his wife, Mama Ida Odinga and their children Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie Odinga.
He was buried wearing his signature hat and fly whisk, symbols that had long defined his political image and charisma.
The installation of Raila Junior represents not just continuity but also a passing of wisdom, leadership, and responsibility from one generation to the next. As the family embraces this new phase, Luo elders say the tradition is meant to preserve order and cultural identity within families after the death of a patriarch.
