Raila Odinga Junior installed as head of Odinga family

Raila Odinga Junior was on Thursday formally installed as the new head of the Odinga family during a traditional ceremony held at their family home in Bondo, Siaya County.

The colourful event, marked by Luo cultural rites, song, and dance, came a week after the death of his father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was buried on Sunday.

According to Siaya Senator and Raila’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga, the installation marked the symbolic transfer of family leadership to the late ODM leader’s son.

“It is a ceremony involving rites to give blessings to the new head of the family according to our culture,” Dr. Oburu said during the event.

“The shaving will be done by one of Junior’s grandmothers, and he will be given the necessary instruments of power and display them.”

The event was attended by family members, relatives, and community elders. Traditional dancers and singers performed throughout the ceremony, while Raila Jr was given a traditional Luo shield and adorned with an animal skin cloak.

Luo cultural traditions dictate that the eldest son assumes the family’s leadership mantle upon the passing of his father.

Raila Jr is Odinga’s only surviving son, following the 2015 passing on of his elder brother, Fidel Castro Odinga.