A brief moment of laughter cut through the mourning at the burial of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, mother of Senator Richard Onyonka, after Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga jokingly recalled her youthful connection with the Kisii Senator, drawing laughter from mourners.
Speaking during the burial ceremony in Kisii County on Friday, Ruth narrated how she and Onyonka’s paths crossed during their school days, triggering laughter among leaders and residents who had gathered to mourn the matriarch.
“I have seen you have got so many kids here na pia kuna wamama, lakini mwenye ulianza naye life when I was a young girl at Asumbi Girls and you were in Kisii Boys' was yours truly Ruth Odinga,” she said amid cheers and laughter.
“Ni vile nilikuwa tu mdogo, saa hii ningekuwa na watoto hapa,” she added, sparking louder laughter from the mourners and leaders seated at the dais.
The humorous remarks briefly shifted the sombre mood of the funeral, with Senator Onyonka himself seen smiling as mourners applauded the Kisumu Woman Representative’s speech.
Ruth, however, quickly returned to a serious tone, saying she had attended the burial to stand with the family during their time of grief.
“So I have come here to personally mourn with him. I know Mama Onyonka and the whole family. We've also been friends because the kind of families we come from, we are always good friends,” she said.
Mama Teresa Nyaboke was eulogised as a strong, prayerful and community-minded woman who played a key role in shaping Senator Onyonka’s life and political journey.
The burial attracted a host of opposition leaders, underlining Senator Onyonka’s influence within national politics and the growing cooperation among leaders allied to the opposition wing.
Among those who attended were Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang'i, Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino, among other leaders.
Several speakers described Mama Nyaboke as a unifying figure whose home welcomed leaders and ordinary residents alike.
The leaders also used the gathering to call for unity and peaceful political engagement, even as the country edges closer to heightened political activity ahead of the next election cycle.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka praised Senator Onyonka for standing firm on matters of governance and accountability, saying the late matriarch had raised a courageous son.
