- John Orwenjo, aka Maama’s jokes knew no age, status or political divide
- The late Orwenjo was until his death, the chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement party in Alego – Usonga constituency
When he was alive, he would leave many in stitches whenever he took to the podium doing what he loved best - politics.
John Orwenjo, aka Maama’s jokes knew no age, status or political divide.
From former president, Daniel Moi to former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, Maama left most with aching ribs.
Perhaps he could be placed in the league of former politicians, Mulu Mutisya and Kariuki Chotara who, despite little education, rose from humble backgrounds to control politics within their environments.
Though he was known for rib-cracking jokes in his heyday, his death, and subsequent decision to inter his body inside his private house, “duol”, has left people, especially the younger generation bewildered.
But to the family of the late Siaya mayor and elders, this is not unusual.
“Burying an elder inside a house is not a new thing. It is part of Luo culture, only that it was abandoned some years back,” says Abanja Kotieno, Kakan clan elder to which the former Siaya mayor belongs.
According to Abanja, Luo people of yore buried their elders inside the first wife’s house.
This was out of the need to protect the body from wild animals which roamed and would dig out the graves.
“In Orwenjo’s case, we are honouring his wish that his body be interred inside his “duol” which, in Luo practice, was like an office where a polygamous man would sit and settle all family matters.”
He says that the late mayor would be buried facing his gate.
His sentiments are supported by the chief officer for Education, Youth and Gender Dr Kut Ochogo.
Ochogo says the community believes that death was a transition to the next world and that elders would always take care of those left behind.
“Old men with homesteads would be accorded this rite but women and children would be buried outside on the right or left of the house, depending on the gender,” Ochogo said.
The chief officer had earlier arrived at the home donned in a traditional Luo attire.
The duo, together with Siaya township MCA, Obiero Otare, said the late Orwenjo deserved a burial befitting a renowned elder who has left a mark in the political leadership in the area.
“He has nurtured several people into politics, including myself,” Otare said.
The MCA added that when he ventured into politics, it was Orwenjo who encouraged and even paid for his party nomination fees.
The late Orwenjo was until his death, the chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement party in Alego – Usonga constituency.
He had been into politics since the 1970s, when he was the local Kanu chairman and Moi's pointman in the area.
“He was the first politician, humble as he was, to take on the former powerful minister and Kanu chairman, Oloo Aringo in the elections but was floored,” Ochogo said.
Orwenjo will be buried on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at his home in Nyachwinya village in the outskirts of Siaya town in a ceremony that is expected to attract top local politicians.
