Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga drew laughter and applause from mourners on Sunday as she introduced her Ghanaian husband, Nana Busia, during the funeral service of her late brother, Raila Odinga, in Bondo.
Raila was laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by close family members, dignitaries, and political leaders, following a public service held in his honour at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology grounds.
Despite the sombre atmosphere, the ceremony was punctuated with light moments as speakers shared fond memories of the late opposition leader. But it was Ruth’s heartfelt and humorous tribute that captivated the crowd.
Taking to the podium with her husband and their two sons, Ruth told mourners that many were unaware she was married.
“Many of you didn’t know that I have a right hand. My right hand is here. I married a man from Ghana — and it was Raila who linked me up with this man,” she said, prompting cheers and laughter from the crowd.
Her husband, Nana Busia, briefly greeted the mourners, his appearance drawing further attention for its cultural significance. Dressed in a traditional Ghanaian funeral cloth known as kobene — a loose red drape worn by bereaved family members in Akan and Ashanti cultures — he stood out among the mourners.
The red cloth, symbolising deep grief and loss, is typically worn without a shirt, and Nana paired it with black mules and shorts. While his attire puzzled some, it reflected Ghanaian mourning customs, where red and black convey sorrow and reverence for the deceased.
Ruth’s introduction of her husband added a personal and cross-cultural touch to the service, underscoring the deep family bonds and international ties surrounding the Odinga family’s farewell to one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
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Source: tuko
