Sylvester Okumu, 81, passed away recently after a brief illness, and his family and friends are now busy preparing for his burial. However, they’re worried about the possibility of heavy rains on the burial day. To address this concern, they’re considering traditional methods believed to stop the rain.

According to tradition, elders like Mr. Malachi Obudho suggest throwing the deceased’s clothes or the red ribbon from the casket over the roof, believed to divert rain-bearing clouds away. These practices, though lacking scientific proof, have been effective in their community for decades.

Mr. Obudho, aged 72, believes in the ancient powers to manipulate weather, passed down from forefathers. He mentions specific incantations meant to bring or suspend rains, but notes that some hesitate due to modern influences.

In Luo culture, burial ceremonies are highly esteemed, and people spare no effort to ensure a proper farewell for their loved ones. Traditionally, elders like Mzee Joram Owino, 77, recall how they would communicate with the deceased, asking them to hold off rains during burial ceremonies, believing in their spirits’ power.

In Alego Usonga, powerful rainmakers from the Usere clan settled among the Alego people, believed to control rain. Similarly, the Kaksingri clan in Suba South, Homa Bay County, is reputed to have rain-stopping abilities.

However, Siaya County Meteorological Director Domnic Arodi dismisses these practices as fraudulent, emphasizing the department’s reliance on traditional weather forecasters who use natural observations for predictions. He refutes claims of stopping rains, stating that once clouds form, rain is inevitable.