How Jared Otieno’s expensive “Luo wedding” went down

October 12, 2015

Author: Alyssa Holroyd

Jared K. Otieno, the flashy 27-year-old from the lakeside town of Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, finally wedded his flame, Kendi Mwiti, 24, in what would easily pass as one of the most expensive, anticipated and consternated union of 2015.

Just like his character of oozing affluence, Otieno’s wedding was not any different from his much hyped dowry payment in Meru where he used four choppers, top-of-the-range guzzlers which coloured Meru town in a manner tantamount to a monarch’s ceremony.

Otieno tied the knot with his erstwhile fiancée in an invite-only event which went down at Windsor Hotel, Lake View Saturday afternoon and thereafter a reception followed at exalted Safari Park Hotel.

The wedding was characteristically a fairy tale story as the bride was chauffeured to Windsor on a white horse carriage complete with flower petals from her parents’ home in Runda.

The Kenya police band matched in front of the chariot as they soothed the woman of the day.

The long convoy, which included enviable top-of-the-range guzzlers, made its way along Thika Superhighway to the wedding venue.

Notable motorcade string consisted of two Porsches, a limousine and three vintage Rolls Royce.

Traffic was controlled by police.

Otieno sought out the best wedding vendors to make his ceremony a permanent agenda on people’s lips – at least when one thinks of the classiest weddings ever to be held on Kenyan soil.

The emcees of the day were Big Ted and MC Jesse.

Picture: unusual wedding dresses

For the regarded guests – a gold embroidered invite card instructed them to dress formal and elegant. The card also communicated in bold letters no children would be allowed at the wedding.

Top creams of the society were in attendance – it was expected though.

Among the prominent figures at the wedding were politicians, media personalities and everyone worth being mentioned in this circle.

They included Senators Kiraitu Murungi, James Orengo, Anyang Nyong’o and his wife Dorothy Nyong’o, Naisula Lesuuda, Governors Amason Jeffa Kingi (Kilifi) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu).

Others included Mutea Iringo, Citizen TV’s Swaleh Mdoe, comedian Jalang’o, Ambassador Chirau Ali Mwakwere and other top administrators and businessmen.

Taraji Neymar Otieno – Kendi Mwiti and Jared Otieno’s son was entrusted with carrying the couple’s rings. Taraji also chipped in during the unity sand ceremony where they mixed different colours of sand – a contemporary alternative to the unity candle ceremony.

Instead of lighting a candle, the couple pours different colours of sand into a unity vase – a representation of union, which the couples can keep long after the wedding.

At around 4:15 PM, the reception was set at the Safari Park Hotel in readiness of its slated time 5:30 pm.

The guests were chauffeured to the lush hotel along Thika Superhighway in a convoy with police outriders.

The Otienos’ had brought in their own tables, chairs and tents which conformed to the white-and-gold colour theme.

The set up accommodated a reported 1200 guests.

Big whiskey brands were on offer for the reputed guests at the reception.

However, the programme instructed alcohol to be served after 9PM — after speeches, cake cutting and a dance by the Otienos.

Benga sensation Onyango Alemo was also scheduled to perform in what turned out to be more than just a fete celebrating the union of two lovers.

In August 15, 2015, Jared Otieno hogged the headlines after he flamboyantly went to pay dowry in Meru; making him the subject of social discussion.

This came after he reportedly spent Ksh 15 million in a pre-wedding party held at his native Ndhiwa home.