Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has defended family plans to bury the late Beryl Achieng, sister to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, against the norms of Luo culture.

On Monday, December 1, 2025, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party announced the burial arrangements of Achieng, who died on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Achieng’s burial plans

According to a statement, the ODM party confirmed that the deceased will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Kang’o ka Jaramogi. In this family cemetery, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was also buried on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County.

The ODM party also confirmed that a requiem Mass for the late Achieng would be held at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

”The late Ms Beryl Achieng’ Odinga, who rested on the 26th November 2025 (last month), will be laid to rest this Saturday, the 6th of December 2025, at the family home in Nyamira, Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo Constituency of Siaya County. A requiem mass shall be held tomorrow at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025,” ODM said via X.

However, the move to bury Bery Achieng at the ancestral home has sparked mixed reactions. In accordance with the Luo community culture, a married woman is traditionally supposed to be laid to rest at her husband’s home. For instance, Bery Achieng was married to a Zimbabwean national, meaning her burial in Bondo goes against the customs and traditions of the Luo people.

Beryl was initially married to Otieno Ambala, who served briefly as Gem MP before he died in 1985. The couple had two children, Auma and Chizzy, but their marriage soon fell apart.

Defying cultural norms

Following the plans to bury Aching at her father’s homestead, Millie Odhiambo has challenged those opposing the family decision.

”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. If not, you are ” boiling” – iwalo!! Beatie Owiti,” the vocal MP said via her social media pages on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Beryl Achieng Odinga was the daughter of the late Jaramogi Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, and Mama Mary Ajuma Oginga. Mother to Ami Auma, Chizi and Taurai.