Under the leadership of Eugene Wamalwa, Bukusu subtribe of the Luhyia of western Kenya delivered bulls to Raila Odinga’s home as “vegetables” for visitors. This practice – call it cultural exchange – has a long history between our Lulu (Luo-Luhya) communities.

According to Jaramogi’s Not Yet Uhuru, Masinde Muliro and Tom Mboya were so critical of each other. However, when Mboya was assassinated in 1969, Muliro mobilised two lorries of bags of maize and other gifts and delivered them to the Mboya family in Homa Bay.

The guy mourned Mboya more than any dignitary shedding tears. Speaking about Mboya in Luhyia language – Luluhyia – Muliro said:

“I told you this people were going to kill you but you never listened to me. Mboya you are very stupid. Look at what you have done to your wife and children. Woi! Woi!” the late Jotham Nyukuri narrated to me.

A spear in hand and in complete Bukusu traditional mourning regalia, he roamed the compound quarrelling with his opponent in the coffin. Years later…

Soon after Kibaki’s election in 2002, Raila found himself in the same situation. A man Raila fought for reforms with but fell out with him over Ford Kenya leadership and the Goldenberg scandal died. That was late Vice President Wamalwa Kijana.

Raila arrived in Kitale with 10 bulls and in complete Luo mourning regalia. Spear in hand, he did his ritual. Like Masinde Muliro in Rusinga, he also spoke in Luo as he shade tears. Actually, like Masinde Muliro, he alone among the VIPs shade tears as he spoke to the dead Wamalwa Kijana in Luo language – Dholuo. I imagine him to have been saying:

“Brother! Forgive me if I ever annoyed you. I did this in good faith. You also know you were wrong on several issues”

Our Bukusu leaders were backward. They were hostile to Raila, even denying him a chance to speak at Wamalwa’s funeral. Carrying grudges that far was primitive. I criticised them in a press release published in the Standard newspaper.

Led by Eugene Wamalwa, we also come to mourn our Father Raila Odinga.

The king is dead. Long live the king!

• A Tell Media / By Wafula Buke