Bondo, Kenya: Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka on Tuesday led a delegation of Bukusu elders to the home of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County, to perform a traditional burial rite known as lufu or Teroburu  a sacred ceremony observed three days after burial to mark the end of mourning.

According to Bukusu tradition, lufu symbolizes closure, remembrance, and the completion of a loved one’s earthly journey. It is a day when family, friends, and the community gather to celebrate the deceased’s life and reaffirm the values they stood for.

Governor Lusaka said the visit represented the enduring bond between Raila Odinga and the Bukusu community, noting that the late statesman’s influence transcended politics and regional boundaries.

 “We did not come here as politicians. We came as Baba’s friends, his students, and his people. His guidance shaped our paths, and our presence here is a testament to the love and respect we carry for him,” Lusaka said.

He recalled Raila’s close association with Elijah Masinde Wanameme, a revered Bukusu freedom fighter, highlighting Raila’s respect for the region’s heroes and shared ideals of justice and unity.

Lusaka described the late Prime Minister as a unifying figure whose legacy will continue to inspire generations, urging Kenyans to uphold the values of peace, truth, and service that Raila championed throughout his life.

Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governors Lusaka, Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), and James Orengo (Siaya) for their continued support to the Odinga family. She shared a light moment recalling how a bull named Basanga once chased her at her grandmother’s home in Migori  a memory she said symbolizes the deep personal connections her family holds across Kenya.

The Bukusu elders concluded the lufu rite with prayers for peace, unity, and strength for the Odinga family, reaffirming their belief that Raila’s spirit and ideals will continue to live on among the Kenyan people.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka presents a bull to the Odinga family during the traditional lufu (Teroburu) ceremony at the late Raila Odinga’s home in Bondo, symbolizing respect and unity between the Bukusu community and the Odinga family.