Natembeya receives elders’ instructions before delivering bulls to Raila’s family in Bondo
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 18, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant Zachariah Barasa are currently receiving final instructions from elders before accompanying their party leader Eugene Wamalwa to Bondo to deliver 20 bulls to the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as part of the funeral feast.
This act comes as a reciprocation of what Raila Odinga did during the funeral of the late Vice President Wamalwa Kijana in 2003, where he travelled to Kitale with ten bulls, dressed in full Luo mourning regalia, carrying a spear, and paying his last respects in a traditional ritual.
Just like Raila had done, the group is also set to don similar attires with a spear and perform some rituals before handing over the bulls.
After the instructions, the bulls were loaded onto a lorry and, accompanied by a convoy, left for Bondo.
Eugene Wamalwa, through his social media pages on Saturday, October 18, 2025, endorsed the move and confirmed that he will lead his DAP–K party members in delivering the bulls to Bondo.
Wafula Buke’s explanation
Wafula Buke, who was Raila’s comrade during the fight for the second liberation, will also join the delegation leading in the delivery of the bulls, which will be used as funeral “vegetables”.
He traced the origins of the tradition back to the days of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Masinde Muliro, whose relationship, though politically strained, was marked by profound mutual respect.
Buke recalled how, following the assassination of Tom Mboya in 1969, Masinde Muliro personally led a convoy of lorries carrying maize and gifts to comfort the Mboya family, mourning his political rival in deep Bukusu mourning regalia.
“The guy mourned Mboya more than any dignitary, shedding tears and speaking to Mboya in Kiluhya. “I told you these 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!” Late Jotham Nyukuri narrated to me. “he added
This comes at a time when the region appears politically divided, with a separate group led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi already in Bondo, accompanied by elders from his Maragoli community, delivering another 20 bulls.