Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, had a message for his cousins Raila and Oburu Odinga a few days before he passed on, it has been revealed..
While receiving treatment at the Nairobi hospital, Jakoyo Midiwo sounded a warning to the Odinga’s before succumbing to a cardiac arrest.
According to East African Legislative Assembly MP, Oburu Odinga, Midiwo called him and cautioned the two brothers from attending funerals in the Nyanza region.
“He called and cautioned me that Covid-19 was really killing our people and it is in such funeral ceremonies that we might get exposed because we would draw crowds,” Oburu Odinga recalled.
He told him that they risked exposing themselves to Covid-19 since they pull large crowds due to their political influence in the region.
Midiwo specifically warned the Odinga brothers not to attend the burial of his uncle, Peter Odima, that of his sister, Julia Adhiambo, both of whom are believed to have succumbed to the virus.
Odima’s burial happened on Saturday, June 12 but plans for Adhiambo’s burial are underway as it is said she will be laid to rest on Saturday, June 19.
“I cannot make the decision alone, we will and decide whether we will attend the (sister’s) burial or just plan for decent burials. It is sad that the people of Nyanza are not afraid of the virus, once they see you and are excited, they fall on you and insist on greeting you, oblivious of the danger it poses,” Oburu Odinga told Nation.
It has emerged that Midiwo’s relatives, uncle, sister and grandmother succumbed to the virus.
Midiwo’s warning comes at a time when COVID-19 is ravaging the Nyanza region.
As the Ministry of Health reports increased COVID-19 infections and deaths in Nyanza, many are blaming the Madaraka Day event on June 1, for the spread of infections in the region.
During their tour in the Nyanza region ahead of June 1, and on the D-day, President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and Raila Odinga attracted huge crowds.
The two principals have been blamed for hosting the super spreader event.
However, it is not the first time cases of COVID -19 have been reported in the Odinga family.
When ODM leader Raila Odinga was diagnosed with COVID-19 in march, Oburu disclosed that 5 other family members were battling the disease.
