Ken Okoth’s mother will have to be forced to bury a banana stem to symbolize her son who is reported to have been cremated.
The burying of a banana stem by her mum is in accordance with the Luo culture that happens only when the body of dead person is not found or cremated as in Ken Okoth’s case.
The burying of the stem is fully followed by all the traditional rituals that would have been conducted on the body.
This is the only way that the family would find some solace.
Okoth was cremated early Saturday morning at the Kariokor crematorium in Nairobi, despite a section of the family being opposed to the same.
Early reports indicate that the body of Okoth left the Lee Funeral Home at about 3am-4am for the crematorium.
Angelina Okoth, Ken Okoth’s mother was up until late friday evening insisting Okoth should be buried at her rural home at Kabondo Kasipul.
The information about burying of the banana stem has been broken by Ken Okoth’s nephew who has started that the family was not involved in the cremation process. Speaking on behalf of Ken Okoth’s mum, he stated that Ken Okoth’s European wife dictated everything.
Evans Oluoch (nephew to Ken Okoth) on Ken Okoth’s cremation: I am still shocked with the decision some of the family members and Ken’s wife made without involving Ken’s mother
We do not have any will that clearly states Ken wanted to be cremated pic.twitter.com/jqgSskeDpt
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 3, 2019
The first heartbreaking message was delivered to Ken Okoth’s mother when ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna stated that the cremation plans will go on as planned and that the body was not going to be flown to his maternal home in Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay as earlier planned.
But now the only option after that dictator move is only burying a banana stem.
Evans Oluoch (nephew to Ken Okoth) on what the family intends to do following Ken’s cremation pic.twitter.com/mpfhfb2xtB
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 3, 2019
This has raised a lot of speculations from Kenyans. Most people are asking why did they have to cremate Ken Okoth before full involvement of the family.
How can the body be cremated without awareness of family members
— Hon. robert opuka (@BertohOpuqa) August 3, 2019
The nephew also stated that the family knew about Ken Okoth’s son with Anita Thumbi. He insisted that the family is ready to welcome both the mother and the son as it is the only treasure left to them.
Evans Oluoch (nephew to Ken Okoth) on Ken Okoth’s alleged son: As a family, we knew about Ken’s son. I believe Ken’s mother really loves her grandson and we are urging Anne Thumbi to bring the son home so that we can embrace him; we fully support her for coming out pic.twitter.com/zc6DXOURO7
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 3, 2019