The late Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga did not like wastage and burdening bereaved families during funerals, a former Alego- Usonga Member of Parliament, Sammy Weya has said.
According to Weya, Raila proved this not once, but on several occasions when he would prevail upon the fundraising committees to surrender 70 percent of the collections to the bereaved families and have the committees retain 30 percent for the expenses.
Speaking to journalists at his Lake Kanyaboli home, Weya gave an example of the funeral of the former chairman of the Kenya National chamber of commerce and Industry, Kassim Owango, where the committee raised Sh10 million.
“Raila ordered the immediate release of Sh7 million to his family and told the committee to use the remaining money to fund all the expenses,” said Weya.
Weya said Raila has been on record on several occasions criticizing wastage during the funerals and the financial burden that the bereaved family members were forced to shoulder during burials.
“He did not like the wastage that the funerals incurred and the financial burden that the bereaved family members shouldered during the burials,” he said adding “That is the reason he advocated for fast interment and in his death, he has set an example.”
He said that the decision to respect the former premier’s will would be quiet in order, saying that there was need for the Luo community to emulate Raila’s decision to make his funeral as simple as it could.
The former legislator described Raila as a humble leader who would take his time to visit and support ordinary citizens.
By Philip Onyango
