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Sharon Otieno’s emotional burial in pictures

By RUTH MBULA October 20th, 2018 1 min read

The slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno was finally laid to rest on Friday in a ceremony attended by hundreds of mourners.

But there were only a handful of politicians, mostly from the region, who attended the burial of the 26-year-old, who was brutally murdered on September 3.

Some minutes to 4pm, her body was lowered into the grave by her colleagues from Rongo University, who attended the burial in big numbers.

Melida Auma (left) and her husband Douglas Otieno during the burial ceremony of their daughter. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI
Melida Auma (left) and her husband Douglas Otieno during the burial ceremony of their daughter. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI

Ms Otieno’s remains, which have been at the morgue for about a month-and-a-half, were interred at her grandfather’s homestead, next to the grave where her foetus was buried about a month ago.

Her mother, Ms Melida Auma, moved the crowd as she eulogised her daughter.

Human rights activists arrive at the funeral ceremony of Sharon Otieno at Magare village in Homabay County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI
Human rights activists arrive at the funeral ceremony of Sharon Otieno at Magare village in Homabay County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI

“Sharon’s death has been very traumatising. Death has snatched from me a beautiful, courageous, jovial and loved Ms Homa Bay County,” said Ms Auma as she described her daughter’s elegance in life and in death.

In the middle of the crowd stood the magnificent brown casket carrying her daughter. Ms Auma spoke as she pointed at it from time to time.

Suba North MP Milly Odhiambo (right) consoles Melida Auma during of Sharon Otieno at Magare village in Homabay County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI
Suba North MP Milly Odhiambo (right) consoles Melida Auma during of Sharon Otieno at Magare village in Homabay County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI

“People may say all manner of nonsense on social media. But her father, relatives and friends knew Sharon well,” she said.

Sharon’s father, Douglas Otieno, called on authorities to expedite justice for his daughter.

The casket bearing the remains of Sharon Otieno being lowered into the grave during her burial in Magare village in Homabay County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI
The casket bearing the remains of Sharon Otieno being lowered into the grave during her burial in Magare village in Homabay County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI

Members of Parliament who attended the burial are Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Township), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Milly Odhiambo (Suba North), Aduma Awuor (Nyakach) and Gladys Wanga (area Woman rep).

Also present were are Senator Rose Nyamunga and Homa Bay Deputy governor Hamilton Onyango Orata.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado, who dated Sharon, and two county workers, have been charged with the murder of the student and her unborn baby.