National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo has defended the burial plans for Raila Odinga's sister, Beryl Odinga, which have sparked criticism from cultural critics who claim that Beryl is being buried in a way that goes against Luo culture.
In a social media statement posted on 5th December 2025, the Suba North Member of Parliament questioned those who claim that Raila's daughter should be buried in accordance with Luo customs, stating that the critics themselves have not fully embraced Luo culture.
"All those who firmly opine that Beryl Odinga should be buried according to Luo customs, please confirm that your six lower teeth have been removed in strict conformity to Culture," Millie Mabona wrote.
On November 29, 2025, Raila Odinga Jr announced that Beryl Odinga, who died on November 25, 2025, would be buried at her father's Kango ka Jaramogi home.
Critics have questioned the choice of Beryl's final resting place, claiming that the late Beryl Otieno should have been buried at her husband's homestead.
Otieno Ambala, Beryl's husband, once served as the Member of Parliament for Gem Constituency in 1974, and the couple had two children.
In his 2014 biography, Flames of Freedom, the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga described the marriage as toxic.
Raila wrote that Beryl was in an abusive relationship with Ambala, forcing her to flee to Zimbabwe.
It was in Zimbabwe that Beryl achieved a historic career milestone, becoming the first black town clerk of Mutare, Zimbabwe's third-largest city.
Beryl's husband later passed away in 1985 while serving a prison sentence at Kodiaga Prison, reportedly from a heart attack.
Ambala Otieno had been arrested in connection with the death of former MP Horace Ongili Owiti, whom he had competed against for the Gem parliamentary seat in 1983.
Beryl will be buried on December 6, 2025 in Bondo at Kango la Jaramogi.
