The father of late Kenyan musician Stoopid Boy, George William Ochieng Awili, has explained why he wants his son buried in Siaya, saying he is simply honouring a wish the musician made several times while he was alive.
Speaking in an interview on Street Vybez Media Hub, Ochieng said his son, Edgar Odhiambo Ocieng, popularly known as Stoopid Boy, had told him that if he died, he wanted to be taken back to his ancestral home in Siaya.
“I just want to fulfil my son’s wishes. He told me that, ‘My dad, if I die, take me to my home in Siaya,’” Ochieng said.
He said the family therefore wants to take the musician’s body to Alego, Siaya, for his final send-off.
“I have to fulfil my son’s wishes; I want the body of my son to be in Alego, Siaya,” he added.
Stoopid Boy’s uncle, Eric Odhiambo, also said the family wants to give the musician a peaceful burial in line with his wishes.
“Tungependa sana tumpumzishe Stoopid kwa njia moja peaceful sana kwa sababu wish yake ilikuwa akifa tumsindikize mpaka Siaya, hiyo alikuwa akisema kila wakati,” Odhiambo said.
The burial plans have, however, raised concerns, with different views emerging over where the musician should be laid to rest.
While his father’s family wants him buried in Siaya, a section of the family is reportedly pushing for Nyandarua, where his mother lives.
A family friend, Moses, said Stoopid Boy, had also expressed his wish to be buried at his father’s home.
“Edgar, the deceased, the late, said once he dies, he should be buried in his father’s place, Siaya,” Moses said.
Meanwhile, Ochieng has defended media personality Oga Obinna following criticism over his relationship with the late musician.
Some Kenyans had blamed Obinna for allegedly contributing to the struggles faced by entertainers who appeared on his platform.
The grieving father, however, rejected the claims, saying his son had battled depression long before meeting Obinna.
He said that Obinna had instead tried to support Stoopid Boy during a difficult period.
“Sitaki Obinna aharibiwe jina. He played his part in trying to help my son,” Ochieng said.
He urged Kenyans to stop attacking Obinna and give the family space to mourn as they work towards giving Stoopid Boy a peaceful send-off.
Obinna has since defended his platform, saying he will continue providing people facing mental health challenges with an opportunity to speak, be heard and seek support.
