The casket carrying the remains of Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Ogolla who died alongside 9 others following a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18 2024 cost only KSh 6,800.
No doubt, considering Francis Ogolla was the most senior military official in Kenya, many would have expected the casket to cost the family and funeral organizers several millions.
But his son said the family opted for the cheap casket for a good reason.
His son Joel Rabuku revealed this while addressing mourners on Saturday, April 20, 2024, during the military honors ceremony held at Nairobiβs Ulinzi Sports Complex in honor of his deceased father.
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According to Joel, the KSh 6,800 casket was for temporary use as it would be disposed of because the father will be buried without a casket.
βYour Excellency (President William Ruto), yesterday I gave you a slight brief on what Mzee would have wanted. Mzee (General Francis Ogolla) is lying over here; the casket is very simple, rough wood. Iβm told it cost only Sh 6,800. He didnβt want complexities that would include an expensive coffin. His essence and spirit are no longer with us; it is now finished,β said Rabuku.
The family has announced that the late General will be buried on Sunday in a simple ceremony in accordance with his wishes.
Ogollaβs elder sister Perez Onyango, who confirmed the burial plans, said her brother told her that he should be buried between 48 and 72 hours.
βHe knew that I was problematic and therefore warned me against complicating his burial. As a family, we respect that wish,β said the sister as reported by The Standard Newspaper.
Kivumbi.co.ke also understands that the late General said he should not be buried in any coffin. To further simplify his burial.
The developments go against many norms including Luo customs as the community is known to stay with their dead for over a month before burial which is usually accompanied by elaborate traditions.
Joel Ogolla, another of the late Generalβs sons told mourners that his father had prepared the entire family for his death and there was no need for people to put on sad faces.
βI am seeing very many sad faces but General (Francis Ogolla) would just be wondering what people are sad about especially since he has prepared us for his death for a very long time,β he said.
