Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo was today forced to swiftly cool the crowd that had started heckling after a politician was invited to the podium at the burial ceremony of Raila Odinga’s bodyguard George Oduor.
The crowd turned rowdy and started heckling when MP Otiende Amollo, who was acting as the Master of Ceremony at the event attended by high profile leaders including President William Ruto and former Prime minister Raila Odinga, at Ramba School, Siaya County, invited area MCA Lumumba Owade to the podium to speak.
It was after Mr. Owade, who was to address the crowd on behalf of the veterans who worked with George, picked the microphone that the crowd bursted into shouts, forcing MP Otiende Amollo to plead with the crowd to respect the event.
Otiende told the heckling crowd they had no option but to remain quiet and listen to the speakers at the event, being that it was a special event.
“Look, you will have to respect this occasion. I want to tell those heckling there that they have to keep quiet. Relax so that we can listen because today is a different day,” Otiende told the crowd after picking back the microphone.
It was after Otiende’s remarks that MCA Owade pleaded with the crowd to honour the late George at the event. He then continued with his speech without any interruptions.
“Please, please honour George. Let’s have discipline, kindly,” Owade told the crowd.
Speaking at the event, Owade eulogized George as a hero, who could risk his life to save others.
He narrated how they were arrested and put into detention during the struggle for Multi-party in the 90s. Owade also revealed that it was Raila Odinga’s wive Idah Odinga who helped in ensuring that their families remained intact while they were in detention, as Idah frequently talked to and advised their wives.
By Nairobi