A section of Kenyans online, Netizens, have been left cursing the Luo Council of Elders Chairman Nyandiko Ongadi following his recent remarks that the late Kibra MP Ben Okoth’s wife Monica should be inherited in accordance with Luo traditions.
Ongadi, who together with a faction of the Luo Council of Elders had earlier on opposed the cremation of the body of the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth saying it offends Luo customs, observed that Luo’s traditions which allows wife inheritance must remain adamant.
In his remarks, Ongadi said that Ken Okoth’s widow, Monica Okoth should accompany her mother-in-law and be part of the rituals to be done at Ken’s maternal home in Kabondo (Homa Bay), and be inherited according to Luo culture.
UPDATE: Luo Council of Elders Chairman Nyandiko Ongadi wants Ken Okoth’s widow – Monica Okoth – to accompany her mother-in-law and be part of the rituals to be done at Ken's maternal home in Kabondo (Homa Bay), and be inherited according to Luo culture.@BERNARDOJWANG Updates… pic.twitter.com/H9ObaTezpF
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 4, 2019
“I was told that the late MP was burned to ashes. This is against Luo customs and any Luo shouldn’t have dared to think of it. His wife should now accompany her mother in law and be part of the rituals to be done at Ken’s maternal home in Kabondo (Homa Bay), and be inherited according to Luo culture.” said Ongandi.
His sentiments, however, elicited mixed reactions from a section of social media users who told off the old man terming wife inheritance among the Luo community as an outdated practice which was past time.
Here are some of the reactions from both Twitter and Facebook;
Nonsense. If these retrogressive Luo cultural rituals are remedy to death, why couldn't they perform it to prevent Okoth's death
— Phabianpaul (@Phabianpaul1) August 4, 2019
Nonsense. Kwendeni huko. Stop stressing the widow. Let her grieve in peace, she has and still going through much. Let her be
— Mark Philo (@markphilo) August 4, 2019
Old senile men, with lots of time on their hands. Never take them seriously. Leave the young widow alone ffs.
— Box Box Box (@calvinTheODG) August 4, 2019
Allan Olero I lack words for this old irrelevant Luo council of elder…It’s such a shame
Iraitoh Joesse Vitu zingine ni ujinga tupu! So how can you burry a banana stem commonly known as “mgomba”,, hii ndo huitwa ujinga! Huyo mzungu apande ndege arudi kwao, watamnyonya!
Its 2019. These folks need a life pic.twitter.com/itcrsYUvL1
— Oria V.O. (Ph.D.) (@Nyuka_Bel) August 4, 2019
Serem N Cheps Jesu.!!! Monica panda ndege na uende kabisa….usionekane tena…What a crap!!!..Let Anita go for the ritual afterall hako ns mtoto ya Okoth.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I didnt see the inheritance part. Chuo oikre ne nyar rachar mar atari— Peter (@owuorgpo) August 4, 2019
When i talked about us ( Luos) having a conversation and amending some sections of Luo customs and traditions some of you laughed hysterically… Others told me not to care because iam a Muslim…. Wife inheritance has room in this day and era!!!
— MUHAMMAD ONYANGO® (@Moha001_Onyango) August 4, 2019
Chamungu Maliyamungu Thats another mediocrity being propagated by a person on his sunset days, take it at your own peril!
Tracy Jones Hehee the luo council of elders chairman also want to inherits a side chic from Okoth. Waaa side chic will never end.
Mukuru-Ukuri Kiogora Damiano Luos never cease to entertain Kenyans. They now miss maandamano and have to keep us entertained. Much love😂😂
Am Luo but sm cultures like wife inheritance are outdated. It ws good in th 90s. ( It led to spread of HIV among th Luo though..)wife inheritance is no longer applicable today
— Jameson (@Jameson58) August 4, 2019
— Martins (@kwirrikiza) August 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShiNeuner/status/1157942517658279936