Business in lakeside town comes to a halt as residents join late Otieno Kajwang's family in bidding him farewell

Kisumu, Kenya: Business came to a standstill in Kisumu as residents and leaders joined the late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang's family in bidding him farewell.

Mr Kajwang's death was described by leaders as a setback to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

As early as 6am, residents, armed with vuvuzelas, whistles, twigs and placards bearing Kajwang's portrait made their way to the Jomo Kenyatta sports grounds to see the fallen political giant off.

The last time the residents lined the roads like this was in 1994, when the body of CORD leader Raila Odinga's father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was brought into the city ahead of his funeral in Bondo, Siaya County.

Like the late Jaramogi, Kajwang' was given a traditional send-off accorded only to Luo kingpins.

Elderly men donned traditional regalia and carried spears, bows and shields as they trooped with a dozen bulls and led a cleansing ceremony. Popular Luo dirges could be heard as the cleansing was done. They also chanted, "Jowi! Jowi! Jowi!" (Buffalo! Buffalo! Buffalo!).

When the convoy finally arrived in the central business district, businesses were temporarily shut as traders and onlookers paid their last respects.

Raila was among the dignitaries who led the family in celebrating the life of Kajwang' whose departure he described as a big loss to the ODM party.

The police had a difficult time trying to control the surging crowds, forcing the planned public viewing to be cancelled.

During the service, speaker after speaker hit out at the Jubilee Government, saying it had failed in its mandate to provide security.

Raila was accompanied by Siaya Senator James Orengo, Kisumu's Anyang' Nyongo, Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) and Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti.