SIAYA, Kenya — Siaya Senator and Odinga family patriarch Dr. Oburu Oginga has cut short his brief holiday in Dubai to return home and take charge of arrangements for his younger sister, Beryl Achieng Odinga.
Beryl Achieng passed away on Tuesday 25, November 2025, compounding a period of intense mourning for the prominent political family.
Dr. Oginga is expected back in the country by Friday to guide the family through funeral preparations, following what has been described as a “double tragedy” that has deeply shaken the Odinga family and their supporters.
Rest interrupted by renewed grief
The Senator had traveled to Dubai on November 21 for a short, three-day break, as confirmed by his younger sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.
The brief respite was deemed necessary after an exhausting and emotionally draining period that began with the death of his brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on October 15, 2025.
Since the former Premier’s passing, the family, particularly Dr. Oginga, has had little time to rest, continuously hosting a steady stream of mourners, dignitaries, and political supporters at Opoda Farm and Kang’o ka Jaramogi.
Jaoko Oburu, Dr. Oginga’s son, explained that the family had insisted his father take a break after weeks of tight schedules.
“We realized that the party leader had not even had some minutes to mourn his own brother. Therefore, as a family, we insisted that he needed a break which we made sure that last week on Thursday he took this break in Dubai,” Jaoko stated.
He added that the sudden death of his aunt, Ms. Achieng, now marked yet another painful loss.
Family gathers for preparation
With Dr. Oginga’s return imminent, his step-sister, Emily Oginga, stated that the family is awaiting his guidance to commence burial preparations.
“It is not easy for us; it is like the death’s harvesting season for us. We are waiting for Dr Oburu to return, most probably on Friday, so that we can have a meeting and start preparations for the burial of my sister,” said Emily.
Also Read: Who was Beryl Achieng Odinga?
Friends and relatives are currently gathering to condole with the family at Beryl Achieng’s home in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, and also at Kang’o ka Jaramogi to comfort the surviving widows of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Betty Oginga and Susan Oginga.
Jaoko Oburu shared a personal tribute to his late aunt:
“To our loving mother and mentor Aunty B, words can’t express my sorrow of losing you 40 days after losing another great mentor, Baba. You will be missed mama na. We will always love you and cherish you. Your memory and legacy lives on in us, your children and family,” he expressed.
