Oparanya reveals reason for delay in offering bulls to Raila’s family
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 19, 2025Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has explained why he delayed delivering his bulls to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s family.
While speaking to the media on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Raila’s Opoda farm during his delivery of bulls and sacks of maize to be used for food during the burial, the Cabinet Secretary, who has been a close ally of the former Prime Minister, stated that he could not deliver his portion of bulls before the body of his party boss arrived at his homestead.
“My people, my older people in my community, sat, and they told me that I could not bring the cows, the bulls, before Raila’s body arrives. So I was waiting for the arrival of the body yesterday; the body arrived late, and the fact that my home is just one hour’s drive from here,” Oparanya stated.
Oparanya said he had the bulls ready two days earlier but was advised by elders in his community to wait until the body of Raila Odinga arrived.
He explained that according to their cultural traditions, it would be inappropriate to deliver the animals before the body was received at home or after sunset.
Because the body arrived late on Saturday evening, Oparanya decided to make the delivery on Sunday morning.
“I thought it would be important to bring it this morning because yesterday, the body arrived late. We could not reach here, and we also did not bring it when there was already a sunset.” He added
He added that the act was a sign of respect for cultural customs that are deeply valued within his community.
Gifting of cows to Raila’s family
Leaders from the Western region also came out in solidarity with the family, and each delivered their portion of bulls. The gesture was initiated by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who, accompanied by elders from his Maragoli community, presented bulls to the Odinga family.
He was followed by Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, who delivered his bulls while performing a traditional ritual holding a spear and a shield as he approached the home of the late Prime Minister.
Wamalwa explained that his act was in reciprocation of what Raila Odinga did for his family in 2003 when his late brother and then–Vice President Wamalwa Kijana died, during which Raila travelled to Kitale with 15 bulls.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant Zachariah Barasa also made their contributions by delivering 15 bulls and several sacks of maize.