‘Mwenye Ulianza Naye Life…— Ruth Odinga Sparks Laughter at Mama Teresa Nyaboke Burial
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has injected a lighthearted moment into an otherwise somber occasion, bringing smiles to mourners during the burial of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, mother of Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.
The funeral service, held in Kisii County on Friday, saw a temporary shift from grief to cheers when the legislator took to the podium and vividly recalled her youthful interactions with the Kisii lawmaker.
The gathering, which brought together top opposition political figures, local leaders, and thousands of residents, was heavily charged with emotion as speakers paid tribute to the Onyonka family matriarch. Mama Teresa was widely eulogized as a pillar of strength, a prayerful woman, and a community-minded matriarch whose influence shaped the political trajectory of her son.
Addressing the congregation and directly pointing toward Senator Onyonka, the legislator hilariously revealed that their friendship dates back to their teenage years. She teased the senator about his large family before jokingly laying claim to being his first true love during their high school days, a revelation that caught the audience by surprise.
“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.
A High School Romance That Never Was?
The candid and humorous confession sent the entire funeral into stitches, with mourners cheering wildly at the unexpected romantic folklore. The Kisumu representative did not stop there, escalating the humor by suggesting that destiny simply delayed what could have been a massive family unit present at the funeral today.
“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 witty remarks succeeded in breaking the ice, causing Senator Onyonka himself to burst into a broad smile while nodding in amusement alongside other dignitaries on the main podium.
The lawmaker masterfully transitioned back to the core purpose of her visit following the lengthy applause and laughter. She recomposed her tone and offered her deepest sympathies to the immersed family, emphasizing that her presence in Kisii was rooted in decades of family friendship and mutual respect.
“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.
How Did Politics Blend With Eulogies?
The funeral, which also served as a significant political gathering, attracted prominent figures from the opposition political spectrum. Leaders such as Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino were all in attendance, underscoring Senator Onyonka’s vast influence in national politics.
Speaker after speaker described Mama Teresa Nyaboke as a unifying force whose home remained open to both the high-profile elite and ordinary citizens.
Taking cue from the matriarch’s legacy, the present leadership utilized the platform to call for national cohesion and peaceful political engagements as the country prepares for future political cycles.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka lauded Senator Onyonka for his unwavering stance on governance and accountability, attributing his political courage directly to the upright upbringing and values instilled by his late mother.
