Just days after the solemn burial of opposition leader Raila Odinga, his elder brother, Oburu Oginga, found himself at the center of a public firestorm. Was it too soon to celebrate? That’s the question on everyone’s lips after Oburu was spotted attending a vibrant wedding ceremony, sparking a heated debate across Kenya. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some see it as a return to normalcy, others view it as a glaring misstep in timing and sensitivity. Let’s dive into the details and explore why this seemingly ordinary event has become anything but.
Photos from the wedding, shared by Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi on social media, quickly went viral. Wandayi’s post on October 25 read, ‘Attended a colorful wedding between Ms. Issa Hamza and Mr. Abdinoor Abdi. Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, the Party Leader of ODM, graced the event alongside other well-wishers. Congratulations, Brother Okech Salah.’ The images showed Oburu, the Siaya senator and Raila’s brother, among the guests, smiling and celebrating. But this is the part most people miss: the groom, Abdinoor, is closely tied to Okech Salah, a figure often referred to as Raila Odinga’s ‘adopted son.’ Salah, though not biologically related, shared a deep father-son bond with the late leader and was a constant presence in his inner circle, even accompanying him on medical trips abroad.
So, was this just a wedding, or something more? The timing couldn’t have been more sensitive. Just days earlier, Oburu had officially marked the end of the mourning period for Raila during a traditional Luo ceremony at the family’s Bondo home. The event, which included the symbolic head-shaving ritual known as liedo, was meant to signify a return to normal life. Yet, for many Kenyans, attending a festive wedding so soon felt like a step too far.
Online reactions were swift and divided. ‘Wait, it’s been 10 days since Raila was announced dead, and you, along with Oburu, are on a wedding celebrating already? Something is off,’ wrote one user, KenyanRebelutionary. Another commentator, Githii, criticized what they saw as political opportunism, referencing remarks made by ODM officials during Raila’s funeral. ‘Did you tell them that Baba left you in government? Just in case they didn’t hear you clearly last week?’ they quipped. Hammad Jefferson added, ‘Oburu is just a caretaker. He can’t replace Baba. We need a youthful leader.’
This incident underscores the intense scrutiny surrounding the Odinga family and ODM leadership in the wake of Raila’s death. Every move by senior party figures is under the microscope, and public opinion is sharply divided. But here’s a thought-provoking question: In a culture where mourning practices vary widely, who gets to decide what’s appropriate? Is it fair to judge Oburu’s actions without fully understanding the family’s personal and cultural context? Or does his public role demand a higher standard of sensitivity?
To understand Oburu’s position better, let’s take a step back. Dr. Oburu Oginga Odinga is no stranger to Kenyan politics. As the eldest son of Kenya’s first vice president, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and brother to the late Raila, he has been a prominent figure in Luo Nyanza politics for decades. His career began in 1974 as a councilor in Kisumu Municipality, and he later served as an economist at the Ministry of Planning and National Development before succeeding his father as MP for Bondo Constituency in 1994. Since then, he has held various influential roles, including Assistant Minister of Finance in 2008 and a nominated MP from 2013 to 2017. Today, he serves as the senator for Siaya County and chairperson of the Senate Energy Committee.
But despite his long political career, Oburu now finds himself in a unique and challenging position. As the interim leader of ODM, he must navigate not only the political landscape but also the emotional weight of his brother’s legacy. The wedding controversy is just the latest example of how every move he makes is scrutinized, not just as a politician, but as a member of the Odinga family.
So, what do you think? Was Oburu’s decision to attend the wedding a reasonable step toward normalcy, or a misjudgment in timing? Does his public role require him to adhere to a different standard of behavior? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
