The prominent gospel musician Justina Syokau has unveiled a striking new look. She has gone completely bald.
The musician shaved her hair as a public sign of mourning and respect for the late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga. Odinga, who was known affectionately across the nation as ‘Baba’, passed away on 15 October 2025.
Syokau shared a video of her dramatic transformation on her official social media channels. The post was made on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The visible tribute quickly spread online and generated significant discussion among her fans and other social media users.
The Emotional Video Post
Syokau’s post included a short video clip documenting the act. The footage was recorded inside what appears to be a local barbershop or salon.
She is seen seated on a chair. A barber is finalising the process of shaving her head clean. The image shows the last stages of the shave.
Large piles of her previously long hair are visible next to her head, scattered on the cape and the floor. The environment, a brightly lit interior space with a television screen visible in the background, contrasts with the emotional weight of the moment.
Her gaze in the picture is serious and directed at the viewer. It reflects the gravity of the gesture.
She accompanied the video with a poignant message. The musician stated clearly that the shave was an intentional mark of reverence for the late political leader.
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“We miss you Raila ODINGA Baba rest in peace ✌️ I shaved to honor and mourn baba.”
This deliberate act of shaving the head is a strong, outward expression of grief. It is a form of personal sacrifice.
For many, it signifies deep respect for the departed. This type of visible tribute is an established practice in various cultural contexts across Kenya.
Cultural Significance and Other Public Tributes
The act of shaving the head is rooted in the Luo mourning tradition, where it is known as liedo. This custom traditionally marks the formal end of the mourning period following the burial of a respected elder or family patriarch.
Odinga was a significant cultural and political figure. His burial and subsequent mourning rites adhered to many of these long-established Luo customs.
Syokau is not the only public figure who undertook this ritual following Odinga’s demise. Other prominent individuals also observed the practice.
Raila Odinga Junior, the surviving son of the former Prime Minister, underwent the ritual. Junior was shaved on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
This act was part of a ceremony to formally install him as the head of the Odinga family home. The shave signalled the official closure of the four-day mourning period, a culturally significant milestone.
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Additionally, the media personality Oga Obinna also shared a video of himself being shaved. Obinna performed the gesture as an emotional tribute earlier in the week.
He confirmed the move was inspired by the traditional Luo mourning custom. Obinna described the act as a "celebration of life for a good man."
The public tributes from figures like Syokau, Junior, and Obinna underscore the importance of cultural practices in times of national mourning.
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