Judging by the recent announcement that she will be buried in Kisumu County, departed Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso will therefore be buried as per Luo traditions.
The late Laboso was married to Edwin Abonyo, a Luo from Koru, Muhoroni in Kisumu, on whose home the former Sotik lawmaker is expected to be interred on Saturday.
According to elders, there is a well outlined procedure to be followed regarding the burial of a woman married to a Luo, which applies across the board, whether or not she is a Luo herself.
“I am not privy to their (Laboso and Okoth) burial arrangements, but there are laid down procedures which are universal and binding to everyone,” says Mzee Justus Oliech from Nyakatch, Kisumu county.
He says that as per the customs, Laboso should be allowed to spend her last night in her husband's house, adding that the grave will be dug the night before the burial day.
According to him, the job of digging the grave is left to young men, who are served beer and roasted meat, and the body laid on the right side of the house early the next morning pending burial.
“The body must be taken out for viewing on the burial day at 8:00 am and placed on the left side of the house, that is what our custom says,” he said.
About the actual burial, the woman is buried on the left side of the house with the head facing the main gate, and the food served by the graveside.
And since she falls in this category, Laboso is likely to be buried as per these laws, which are quiet different when it comes to a woman who was married off but returned to her home.
Known in Luo as 'Migogo', such are buried at the gate and treated as outsiders.