Ida Odinga, sister-in-law to the late Beryl Achieng Odinga, did not hold back as a group of rowdy youth disrupted the burial ceremony of the deceased at the family homestead in Kang'o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo.
Speaking for the broader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family, Ida demanded order, telling the noisy mourners, "We are not interested in your politics. Whether you are supporting a politician or not, we are not interested in that. The thing that has brought us here today is to lay our sister to rest."
She then warned that anyone not related to the deceased should either quiet down or leave.
The disruption began as Ruth Odinga started her tribute, with youth accompanying Kasipul MP Boyd Were chanting and blowing vuvuzelas.
The commotion intensified as Were moved to greet prominent leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka, James Orengo, and Oburu Odinga.
The interruption deeply upset the family and other mourners.
Ruth Odinga expressed her disappointment, describing the behavior as "shameful" and accusing some political leaders of turning the funeral into a political spectacle.
Online, netizens shared the same sentiments.
"Nothing like cheering when mourning when attending funeral give respect to the Family, let not the politician misusing youth to cause confusion is total mess," Jeremiah Makokha wrote on Facebook.
Despite the disruption, the funeral proceeded, and Beryl Odinga was laid to rest at the Odinga family cemetery following Luo community rites, adapted to the family's contemporary circumstances.
Dignitaries, family members, friends, and well-wishers attended the ceremony, remembering Beryl as a principled, professional, and devoted public servant. Her career highlights included serving as the first Black Town Clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe, and as chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company.
In a final emotional tribute, Ida recalled her last visit to Beryl in hospital, describing her frailty and heartbreak over her children's condition. She acknowledged the heavy blow the family had endured, noting that Beryl's death came so soon after that of Raila Odinga.