Mourners honour ‘watchman’s’ wishes with traditional send-off
What you need to know:
- In life, Mr Shikuku had broken with custom and prepared a grave while he was still alive and issued instructions on how he wanted his remains interred.
- A Luhya traditional dance referred to as eshiremba was performed as men in traditional regalia and decorated with paint danced past the coffin and engaged in a mock fight with shields, bows and clubs.
- More than 20 bulls were slaughtered and food served to the mourners at the burial, as Mr Shikuku had wanted. And he was buried in the grave he had dug 10 years ago, but after it was given a facelift.
Joseph Martin Shikuku was buried his way at a Luhya traditional ceremony befitting the prominent and veteran politician that he was.
In life, Mr Shikuku had broken with custom and prepared a grave while he was still alive and issued instructions on how he wanted his remains interred.
A Luhya traditional dance referred to as eshiremba was performed as men in traditional regalia and decorated with paint danced past the coffin and engaged in a mock fight with shields, bows and clubs.
The rite is only performed for elderly and respected members of the Abaluhya peoples. Shikuku’s surviving wife, Frida Nafuna, and children eulogised their father as an honest, peace-loving person who had a passion to see a new Constitution delivered.
His wife termed him “a politician and a half” when it came to fighting for a just society. Security was beefed up at the ceremony and there was a highly visible presence of police.
Mourners were first screened before being let into the homestead while others followed the proceedings from treetops. Mr Shikuku’s brother, Dr Lwali Oyondi, said that all of the politician’s last wishes had been honoured.
More than 20 bulls were slaughtered and food served to the mourners at the burial, as Mr Shikuku had wanted. And he was buried in the grave he had dug 8 years ago, but after it was given a facelift. (READ: Shikuku’s coffin and grave made eight years ago)
Mr Shikuku led a life full of controversy. He was expelled from St Peter’s Seminary in Mukumu, where he was studying priesthood for defying the school administration. When he got into politics, his career was often tumultuous.
However, he is best remembered for agitating for independence and, later, multi-partyism. He was also popular with the poor for his attacks on the elite, who he said were insensitive to the needs of ordinary Kenyans.
Mr Shikuku was a star figure in Parliament for his mastery of parliamentary rules and procedures. He is survived by eight sons and eight daughters from three wives, two of whom are dead.
