Millie Odhiambo Defends Beryl Odinga’s Burial Plans Amid Cultural Criticism
National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo has come out in defense of the burial plans for Beryl Odinga, sister of Raila Odinga, following criticism from cultural commentators who argue that her burial does not align with traditional Luo customs.
In a statement shared on social media on 5th December 2025, the Suba North Member of Parliament challenged those insisting that Beryl’s burial must strictly follow Luo traditions.
Millie Odhiambo questioned whether the critics themselves fully observe all aspects of Luo culture, highlighting a cultural practice that involves removing six lower teeth.
“All those who firmly opine that Beryl Odinga should be buried according to Luo customs, please confirm that your six lower teeth have been removed in strict conformity to Culture,” Millie Mabona wrote, directly addressing cultural purists.
The controversy arose after Raila Odinga Jr announced on 29th November 2025 that Beryl Odinga, who passed away on 25th November 2025, would be laid to rest at her father’s Kango ka Jaramogi homestead in Bondo.
Some cultural critics have argued that Beryl should have been buried at her husband’s homestead instead, claiming that Luo customs dictate burial at the spouse’s family home.
Beryl Odinga was married to Otieno Ambala, a former Member of Parliament for Gem Constituency in 1974, and together they had two children.
However, Raila Odinga, in his 2014 biography Flames of Freedom, described their marriage as troubled and abusive.
According to Raila, Beryl endured significant hardship in her marriage, which eventually forced her to flee to Zimbabwe for safety.
While in Zimbabwe, Beryl achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first black town clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city, marking a significant achievement in her career and life.
Her husband, Ambala Otieno, later passed away in 1985 while serving a prison sentence at Kodiaga Prison, reportedly from a heart attack.
He had been arrested in connection with the death of former MP Horace Ongili Owiti, his political rival for the Gem parliamentary seat in 1983.
Despite the cultural debates, Beryl Odinga’s burial is set to take place on 6th December 2025 at Kango la Jaramogi in Bondo, honoring her family’s wishes and her personal legacy.
Millie Odhiambo’s defense of the burial plan has sparked further discussion on the balance between respecting cultural practices and honoring individual and family choices.
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