The Orange Democratic Movement has been subjected to harsh condemnation for spearheading Ken Okoth’s cremation which was against some family members wish.
Okoth was cremated early Saturday morning at the Kariokor crematorium in Nairobi. This information was broken to the media by ODM party which is led by Hon Raila Odinga.
Hon. Okoth’s remains have been cremated this morning in accordance with his wishes and in the presence of his family. May his soul Rest In Peace.
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) August 3, 2019
Angelina Okoth, Ken Okoth’s mother was up until late friday evening insisting Okoth should be buried at her rural home at Kabondo Kasipul.
This has literally placed ODM Party underfire especially from Kenyans who supported Ken Okoth’s mum.
And it’s against the wishes and the traditions of the luo.
— Emmanuel Swaka (@Swaka_Em) August 3, 2019
…..so you have implemented the wish that wasn’t there? Mme geuza Hon Ken Okoth vumbiii tuu hivyoo? Okoth mum was against this act. It’s ungodly,it’s devilish, it’s against the luo traditional.
— Cecill Midika (@Batoto_BaMungu) August 3, 2019
The cremation comes just hours after the family announced that the body of the late Okoth would not be flown to his maternal home in Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay as earlier planned.
Speaking at Milimani Law Courts on Friday after signing consent for the cremation to go on as planned, Sifuna cited logistical issues as reason for the change of plans.
which family is Sifuna kens Family very dissapointed with this ODM party ….for christ sake give the body to the family ….. don’t pretend to care so much while when he was sick you were not there
— klint Kenya (@KenyaKlint) August 3, 2019
Some netizens have even vented their anger in the native Luo language.
Kofuwo ma onge kata simba to kia dalagi kamano to owang kayugi
— Gunia ka Gunia (@jokeyo26) August 3, 2019
Dhoga omoko. Umondo bulo mogosi Ken okinyi mang’ich kata ka mwanda pok olayo. Awuoro u jonarobi
— Change (@ayodo_change) August 3, 2019
But the family of Ken Okoth has only one option left, to bury a banana stem.
Evans Oluoch (nephew to Ken Okoth) on what the family intends to do following Ken’s cremation pic.twitter.com/mpfhfb2xtB
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 3, 2019