Lamogi royal delegation travels to Kenya to honour Raila Odinga

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Sixteen royal envoys from the Lamogi chiefdom in Amuru district travelled to Kenya on November 15 2025, to pay homage to the late Kenyan opposition veteran, Raila Amolo Odinga, who died last month.

Odinga, whom Kenyan Luos fondly referred to as the Jakom Lawii Tiim Dwon Piny Luo, once served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya.

The reigning chief of the Lamogi chiefdom in Amuru district, Rwot Otinga Atuka Ottoyai II, is leading the delegation of sixteen noble elders from the clanships that make up the chiefdom.

Rwot Martin Otinga Atuka Otto Yai II, is leading the delegation of sixteen noble elders from the clanships that make up the chiefdom to Kenya to pay homage to the late Kenyan opposition veteran, Raila Amolo Odinga. (Photo by Dennis Ojwee)

Accompanying him are the chief of the Parabongo clanship, Rwot Richard Komakech, elder Ochola Pagak of the Pagak clanship and Richard Tabu, a prince from the Toro clanship. Others include renowned lawyer Henry Komakech Kilama and Sylvester Opira, a retired former resident district commissioner.

Rwot Otinga stated that “Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 while receiving treatment in India, is an accomplished member of the Lamogi people of Uganda, with a shared ancestry.”

Richard Juma Pa Lanek, the prime minister of Ker Kwaro Lamogi, told Vision Group's Radio Rupiny, that the chiefs are travelling for Odinga’s funeral a month after his death to fulfil an entrenched custom of the Lamogi people.

Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Amuru resident district commissioner, cleared the delegation to travel and issued them international introductory documents.

The delegation will present royal regalia consisting of a Lamogi traditional spear, a royal armband locally known as Awula, a hand whip known as Odo Wino, a gourd, and a winnowing tray to the family in honour of Odinga’s legacy as a fierce advocate for his people.

Odo Wino symbolises victory, while Awula represents Luo pride. In October, several prominent Acholi diplomats, including former UN undersecretary Dr Olara Otunnu paid tribute to the late Odinga.

“Under the Acholi custom, chiefs are prohibited from attending fresh funerals. This is why we all missed the funeral of former Kenyan statesman Raila Amolo Odinga. One month later, it is prudent that we go and condole with his family.” Lanek explained.

According to Lanek, the Acholi people deeply value the sanctity of life to the extent that their chiefs are barred from crossing any place where fresh blood has been spilled, whether naturally or maliciously.

They believe this protects their chief from being driven into a public display of grief, an act which, once committed, could attract disasters and calamities that may later befall the land and claim the lives of their subjects.

According to Lanek, “this is especially true as aggrieved funeral goers, especially women, throw themselves down while wailing on top of their lungs in mourning their dead.”

Such scenes, he said, “once observed in plain view, irritate the chiefs, the arbiter of the sanctity of life on earth, to the taboo of public display of grief. So they don’t attend fresh funerals where high emotions are commonplace.”

Lanek added that the trip will cost the chiefdom ten million shillings.

The Lamogi people believe that the Jaramogi lineage of the Luo in Kenya traces its roots to the Lamogi community in Uganda, from where their ancestors migrated during the great Luo migration centuries ago.