The Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu remains a centre of attraction as residents of Kisumu County continue to throng the venue to view the remains of the legendary snake, named Omieri.
On Wednesday, elders from Nyakach Sub County stunned many when they held a special traditional ceremony to ‘cleanse’ Omieri and ‘apologise’ for the fire that led to her death, 30 years ago.
Dressed in traditional regalia and ‘armed to the teeth’ with sea shells, shields, arrows and fly whiskeys, the elders ran up and down, cried, shouted and chanted words that few could understand, all in the name of crying out for the legendary Omieri.
“Since her death, we have faced untold suffering, ranging from defeats in battles with our neighbours, famine and poverty. But since the discussion of her return, we have seen a lot of improvement in the lives of the people of Nyakach,” Ogongo Yano, one of the elders was quoted by the Standard.
Omieri’s remains were brought back to the Lakeside City to mark the third national cultural celebrations at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium.
The event which started on Wednesday will come to an end on Sunday. Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed is among those who viewed Omieri’s remains.
The snake died 30 years ago in the hills of Nyakach, Kisumu County following injuries arising from wildfires.