At Ukwala in Ugenya, emotions ran high as tributes poured in for James Cobra Oduor, the sports enthusiast who was felled by the terrorists in Nairobi.
Mourners, who were given opportunity to eulogize the late James Eric Oduor, rued the acts of violent extremism and asked the government to beef up security surveillance.
His wife Diana Rose could not hold back her tears as she sobbed most of the time while recounting the ordeal of the DusitD2 complex terror attack.
''I am so deeply pained that I don’t know who will write off the pain for me. But I want pray so that God may give me strength to exceed the loss,'' said Rose.
Oduor was widely cheered as a young man of great compassion who loved football from a young age, endearing him to football teams such as Kenya Pipeline.
But even as his remains was interred, the memories of the attack was refreshed to the mourners by thousands of people who attended his burial rites ceremony.
His father Fred Radido like other mourners, too, shed tears as he recalled how his cheerful son lost his life suddenly at the hands of cruel- religious fundamentalists.
“All we can say is fare thee well. We loved you but God loved you more. But to the evil doers, revenge is the Almighty’s,” said Radido as he paid his last respects.
Oduor mother Margaret Aluoch also shared her emotional experience since she received the sad news of his death.
''It did not occur to me by the end of Television episodes beamed during the attack that my son would later be one of the casualties,'' she said
News that Oduor was one of the victims struck her like a thunderbolt.
Mrs Aluoch wrinkled her nose in disgust as she gave an emotional account of socialising the son from diapers stage to adulthood all which has now tragically ended abruptly.
Ukwala Deputy County Commissioner Mrs Pamela Atieno, who spoke on behalf of the State officials, consoled the family and assured them the criminals were being pursued
She regretted the untimely demise of the late, but said although the family was going through rough times only God had the will to indemnify them in his own way.
Atieno cautioned residents of Ukwala to be wary of gangs on the prawl especially around Nyadorera area they pledged to hunt down.
''We are privy to some criminal gangs ganging up in this area but we have put them on the radar and soon the law will catch up with them,'' she said
Nyanza leaders led by Siaya Senator James Orengo, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, rued the crime as evil and barbaric. They asked the government to deal with acts of terrorism.
This happened as the family cried for justice and equity to prevail in the ongoing investigations
