Okoth-Ogendo’s body arrives from Ethiopia to tearful reception

By James Ratemo

The late Prof Hastings Okoth-Ogendo will be laid to rest on May 9, at his home in Gem Rae, Nyakach District.

The body was flown in yesterday from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he died on Friday.

Led by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, family and friends tearfully escorted the body from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Lee Funeral Home.

"This is a terrible loss of a great Kenyan scholar to the nation. He was one of the best experts on legal matters and made tremendous contribution to the draft Constitution," said Raila.

The Prime Minister regretted that the country had not usefully adopted the scholar’s work, yet the same had helped our neighbours, including Tanzania. He, however, said the scholar left behind a rich legacy.

funeral committee

Ogendo’s funeral committee chairman Sam Ogutha said there would be a church service at NPC Valley Road on Wednesday next week before the body leaves Nairobi for Gem the following day.

Mr Ogutha said the United Nations, which had invited Ogendo to Addis Ababa to present a paper, footed the travel and hospital bills.

Prof Nyong’o, who schooled with Ogendo at Alliance High School, described him as a renowned constitutional law scholar.