Embarambamba mourns Raila Odinga by rolling in soil, splashing himself with dirty water

The sudden death of former prime minister Raila Odinga has left many Kenyans in shock, struggling to come to terms with the news Kisii music...

• The sudden death of former prime minister Raila Odinga has left many Kenyans in shock, struggling to come to terms with the news
• Kisii musician Embarambamba sparked reactions online after mourning the late politician in a dramatic and unique way that showed his pain
• In the now-viral video, Embarambamba was seen throwing himself into a pool of mud, throwing himself against a wall, and performing other surprising acts of mourning

Popular Kisii musician Embarambamba has expressed his grief over the sudden demise of former prime minister Raila Odinga in a unique and dramatic way.

Raila passed away on Wednesday, October 15, reportedly after suffering a heart attack while taking a walk at an undisclosed location in India, where he had travelled for medical treatment.

The sudden loss has left the nation mourning a legendary statesman.

How did Embarambamba mourn Raila?

Taking to social media, Embarambamba shared a video of himself mourning Raila.

The musician was captured running through a maize plantation, jumping over a fence, and falling headfirst into the soil while wailing:

“Raila amekufa, Raila amekufaaa,” holding his head in apparent shock.

He continued rolling in the dirt, crying out:

"Sijui nifanye nini, woooi Jakom ameenda wapi? Kifo imechukua Raila wapi? Sijui niende wapi, sijui nifanye nini Raila aamke, ODM yetu imeenda wapi? Raila Raila Raila ameenda wapi." (I don’t know what to do, where has Jakom gone? I don’t know where to go, I don’t know what to do, Raila, wake up! Where has our ODM gone? Raila, Raila, Raila, where has he gone?

In the video, Embarambamba was also seen splashing dirty water on his face and body, throwing himself against a wall, and dipping himself into a pool of mud, completely covered from head to toe.

It is worth noting that he has used a similar mourning style to grieve prominent figures like former president Mwai Kibaki.

Watch the video below:

Netizens React to Embarambamba mourning Raila

The musician’s dramatic and unorthodox display of grief sparked a wave of mixed reactions on social media.

Here are some of the comments from netizens:

Kisioe Paul:

"Huyu apelekwe pale mathare hospital asaidiwe."

David Momanyi:

"Nilijua tu huyu jamaa..,angeanza za ovyo masaa ya kuomboleza. Bibi ya huyu mtu anaishigi Naye aje..ujinga kila time na atuwache tuomboleze kwanza hizi ni mawhat now?"

Zipporah Ombuya:

"Hiyo seng`enge si imemraruajigongeshe kwa ukuta vizuri. RIP Jakom."

Nyangila Muhindi:

"Problem si mwiigizagi ni team recording."

Hyrene Odhiambo:

"People are morning and this one is joking"

Eve Lyn Nyaboke Nyantika:

"Mungu si unaona huyu mwenda wazimu ndio anafanya nicheke kwa matanga."

Lily Queen:

"Why am I crying, Embarambamba Kenya check kama Mali iko safe haki hiyo seng'enge zii imelarua mali."

Kiptoo Ke:

"Ata mapepo wenyewe wanashanga na hii styles za kipepo."

Risper Mokeira:

"Wewe uko na demon inakusumbua wengine tunalilia baba wewe unaendelea kukimbia ndani ya Kwa maihindi."

Ann Abigael:

"okay1kwa matanga wacha zako unafanya na cheka bure."

Dina Nyaks:

"Tafuta unga kwa njia nzuri unatufurahisha ukiumia nkt. RIP Jakom we will miss you."

All tributes made in honour of Raila Odinga

• India’s Prime Minister and other global leaders have joined Kenyans in mourning the passing of Raila.
• Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua also shared a tribute to the late ODM party leader.
• Following the news of Raila’s death, businesses in Homa Bay Town and Migori temporarily closed as the nation came to terms with the loss.

What did William Ruto say about Raila Odinga's death?

President William Ruto officially declared a seven-day mourning period to honour the late Raila.

During this time, the national flag will be flown at half-mast.

To pay tribute, President Ruto has also cancelled all his scheduled public engagements and urged other public servants to follow suit.