During his lifetime, he used to make many people laugh out loud whenever he stood at the podium and spoke about what he loved most: politics.
John Owenjo aka Mama jokes knew no age, status or political divide.
From former President Daniel Moi to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mama has left almost everyone with sore ribs.
Perhaps he can join the ranks of former politicians like Mulu Mutisha and Kariuki Chotala, who, despite having little education, rose from poor backgrounds to control politics within their own milieu.
He was known for his hilarious jokes in his heyday, but his death and the subsequent decision to have his body buried in his private home, Duol, has left people, especially the younger generation, baffled.
But for the family of the late Siaya Mayor and his elders, this is not unusual.
“Burial of elders inside the home is not something new. It is part of Luo culture but it was only abandoned a few years ago,” said Abanja Kotieno, an elder from the Kakang ethnic group, which includes the former Siaya mayor.
Abanja said that in the past, the Luo people buried their elders inside the house of their first wife.
This was to protect the bodies from wild animals that might dig up the graves.
“In the case of Oluwenjo, we are respecting his wish to have his body buried in his ‘duol’. In Luo custom, a duol is an office-like place where polygamous men sit and settle all family matters.”
He says the late mayor will be buried facing his gate.
His sentiments are supported by the Chief Executive. Education, Youth and Gender Dr. Kurt Ochogo.
Ochogo said the community believes death is a transition to the afterlife and that elders will make sure those left behind are looked after.
“Elderly people who have households are given this ritual, while women and children are buried outside the house on the right or left side depending on their gender,” Ochogo said.
The top police officer had arrived at the house earlier, dressed in traditional Luo attire.
The two, who were joined by Siaya County MCA, Obiero Otare, said the late Oluwenjo deserved a befitting burial for a renowned elder who had a great influence on political leadership in the area.
“He has groomed several people, including me, into politics,” Otare said.
The MCA added that it was Oluwenjo who encouraged and paid the party’s nomination fees when he ventured into politics.
The late Oluwenjo was the Chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement Party in the Arego-Usonga constituency until his death.
He has been involved in politics since the 1970s, when he was chairman of the local Kanu party and Mr Moi’s representative in the area.
“Although he is a humble politician, he was the first politician to challenge former powerful minister and Kanu Party chairman, Olow Aringo, in an election but lost,” Ochogo said.
Oluwenjo is due to be buried at his home in Nyachiwinya village on the outskirts of Siaya town on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at a ceremony expected to be attended by leading local politicians.
