By Nicholas Anyuor and James Omoro
A sombre mood engulfed St Mary’s Nyarongi Catholic Church in Ndhiwa as church-goers came to terms with the sudden death of Prof George Saitoti and Mr Orwa Ojode, who were to preside over a funds drive at the church.
At Ojode’s parents home in Ratang’a Village, there was shock and confusion as friends and relatives visited to pay their tributes to the fallen ministers.
Men and women wailed as a distraught Huldah Aloo Ojode, 80, Ojode’s mother, was lost for words on learning of the death of her second born son.
Ojode’s father, Mzee Ojode Otieno, died last year at the age of 93.
At the church, two seats reserved for Saitoti and Ojode remained vacant until the end of the mass conducted by Fr Samuel Jaji.
It was Ndhiwa District Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding and the OCPD Job Lesikinwa who informed the congregation that the two guests were feared dead following a plane crash in Ngong area.
They had earlier led a team of provincial administration officers to the venue to receive the ministers but left immediately on learning of the sad news of their demise.
shocking news
Fr Jaji said he had spoken to Ojode in the morning and they were expected at the church at 11am.
“We have been shocked by the news of his death. This is very sad,” he said.
Sunday’s Mass was dedicated to the victims of the crash.
