Ohangla music queen Lady Maureen will be buried tomorrow with organisers anticipating a large turnout by fans for her send off.

Lady Maureen - real name Maureen Achieng -  will be buried in her family home at Kopanga village along border of Kenya and Tanzania, in Suna West constituency

John Okinyi, a fellow musician known as Osogo Winyo said as organisers they will insist on social distance to be met, facemasks to be wore and minimum time for the service.

“We called on police and government to help us enforce Covid 19 orders, and want fans to closely work with authorities to avoid chaos by coming with facemasks and maintaining social distance,” Winyo said.

Last Saturday, July 11 at dawn the musician died while receiving home based care in a cousin’s home in Uriri sub-county.

Her mother, Margret Atieno said the singer had been discharged from Pastor Machage Hospital, which was the last center she was in a three year battle with sickness.

“She was bedridden for the past year, before she departed. We are still in shock she was the family pillar,” she said.

Maureen Achieng’ was born on November 22, 1984 at Seme Kombewa village and has produced several popular songs, mostly singing about key politicians in Luo nation.

On Wednesday Homa Bay governor Cyprian Awiti through his aides gave Sh200,000 contribution for funeral expenses for Raila and governor’s Sh100,000.

“When we sing about Raila or somebody else, it marks building of friendship and most often we never get direct monetary fund from them,” John Okinyi, commonly known as Osogo Winyo said.

Winyo, who represents association of Luo musicians in Migori county said musicians should take music as a career and invest back any proceedings during the height of their success.

“We don’t wish politicians and those we sing about in our songs to be dragged when a musician passes on,” Winyo said.

Elisha Outa, a popular Luo musician called Elisha Toto, said by singing about Raila and Gor Mahia, most musician work on their popularity to shore up their support, monetary gain in shows and get airplay.

“When supporters of politicians get the songs, we also get time for airplay in radio and chances to get shows and support across the country. It is a win-win situation,” Toto explained.

Toto and Winyo said they have formed associations to help musicians invest in their future through welfare instead of relying for help in politicians when times are tough.

- The Star