Jubilation as Oburu Odinga is confirmed by Anglican church

Former Vice President, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga's eldest son Oburu Oginga was on Sunday confirmed by an Anglican bishop during a ceremony to mark his 80th birthday. Dr Oburu, who is the second senator of Siaya County received the confirmation at a ceremony presided by Bondo Diocese Bishop Prof David Kodia. There was joy and jubilation as the 80-year-old father of eight tasted the sacrament for the first time in his life - a fulfillment of his fathers wish 75 years later.

The colourful event held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology grounds was also attended by the Azimio leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Wycliffe Oparanya, governors James Orengo, Gladys Wanga, Anyang' Nyong'o, Ochilo Ayacko, MPs and several MCAs. In 2021 during a Christmas church service at Nyamira ACK in Bondo, Bishop Kodia said he was ready to confirm Oburu and Raila.

"I know you've never been confirmed but I am giving you an opportunity to let me know when you are ready for the exercise," said Kodia. The excited Oburu told the bishop that he was going to make arrangements on how to be confirmed as a Christian. "I have never tasted the sacrament and I will therefore not wait for my brother Raila," said Oburu, who is also a polygamist.While the confirmation has elicited mixed reactions from the public, Bishop Kodia has defended the move, saying Canon 28 (i) 5 gives the bishop the discretion to admit or readmit to the Holy Communion anyone upon repentance, or the lapse of a notable time.

"Some of you even likened the confirmation with favouritism giving the implication that because of his status as a senator, he was favoured. Some of you raised questions regarding similar cases which have not been addressed by the church. Polygamy in this context is seen as an abomination and anyone in a polygamous relationship should not be allowed the sacrament of the Holy Communion," explained Kodia. He added that Oburu was never subjected to any form of disciplinary action and upon his own plea to be considered for confirmation, the bishop upon consultation with his local priest accepted his plea and duly confirmed him."Our mission as the church is not judgmental but that of extending God's acts of mercy to his people irrespective of their social status," he said, adding that Oburu is not the first case of this nature.

He said they have re-admitted many Christians who for one reason or the other found themselves in polygamous situations. He stated: "Please let the 80-year-old senator rejoice peacefully in the Lord for once we were yet sinners Christ died for us." On Sunday, Oburu, who said it was not his liking to be confirmed at that age, said his late father's attempts to have them confirmed as Christians bore no fruits even after stepping into the crowded altar in 1948 and announced "Ng'ong'a Molo" as his son's baptism names when Reverend Simon Nyende of Church Missionary Society was conducting a baptism ceremony in Maseno."My late father decided to take us to church in 1948 for confirmation but the then Bishop Simon Nyende refused to baptize us using the ordinary names," recalled Oburu.He said his father wrote to the Anglican headquarters on why we (his children) could not be baptized using local names and he got a positive response. Oburu, who was named after chief Ng'on'ga Mola thanked Bishop Kodia for fulfilling his late father's wish. "My father will be happy wherever he is because one of his greatest beliefs has been achieved today," said Oburu. He recalled how his mother Mary Odima walked out of the church and left Jaramogi to take his children back home.