The late Kibra Member of Parliament (MP) Ken Okoth paternal family is against plans by his immediate family to have his body cremated at a private function in Nairobi.
According to Raymond Mbai, the spokespersons of Okoth’s paternal family, cremation is not part of their culture.
In an interview with Citizen Digital on Wednesday, the paternal family maintained that Okoth deserves to be buried next to his father’s grave at Amosa village in Kochia ward, Homa Bay County.
“In the Luo tradition, we have never heard that when somebody dies they are burnt, that is not our culture. We have never heard such a thing, so we have got no idea about that,” Mbai said as quoted by citizen Digital.
The late Okoth paternal family further complained of allegedly being not involved in their son burial preparations.
The paternal family alleges that the organizing committee in Nairobi has completely sidelined them.
“We would not wish our cousin Ken Okoth to be cremated.It is against the Luo tradition and our cultural belief. It is our wish that they find another option," the family told Citizen Digital.
Okoth paternal family further dismissed claims that it is quarrelling with the other members of the deceased family.
“We have no quarrel with anybody, we welcome all of them and we’ll appreciate them to be here together with us,” the paternal family said.
On Wednesday, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga revealed Ken Okoth family decision to have his body cremated.
In a presser in Nairobi, Raila said that Okoth body will be handed to the family for cremation at private function in Nairobi once all rites have been performed.
Okoth died last week at Nairobi Hospital aged 41 after a long battle with colorectal cancer.