Slain university student Sharon Otieno’s uncle was kicked out of a family meeting yesterday after he tried to talk about her marital status.
Some family members stopped Joseph Okong’o from speaking, arguing that he was not their spokesman. Mr Okong’o was almost attacked at Sharon’s home at Magare village, Homa Bay County.
Trouble started when Okong’o was handed the microphone to address guests who included Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga, her counterparts Pamela Odhiambo (Migori), Rosa Buyu (Kisumu) and Janet Ong’era (Kisii).
He began by revealing the background of Sharon’s marriage. “I want everybody to know that Sharon was a married woman and she separated with her husband in January,” he said.
The crowd booed him but he was not cowed. “The husband has never appeared in this home but we need him because Sharon will not be buried here due to our cultural beliefs,” said Okong’o who is a brother to Sharon’s mother.
On Friday, Okong’o addressed journalists in the home as a spokesman of the family. But Sharon’s father vehemently opposed him on grounds that an in-law could not act as a spokesman of his family.