It’s all systems go for Ojode burial on Sunday

By JAMES OMORO

 Burial arrangements for former Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, on Sunday at his Unga village home in Ndhiwa District, are complete.

The plans were finalised yesterday with the grave being dug though in the absence of his only son, Andy Ojode, a student in the UK. Andy was in Nairobi attending his father’s funeral service at Maxwell SDA Church.

Expected guests during the burial include President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, ministers, assistant ministers, MPs,  and other Government officials.

 The body is expected to arrive at his father late Ojode Otieno’s home today at 11am at Ratang’a village, Central Kwabwai location in Ndhiwa, before it is taken to his Unga home hours later.

Point of correction

Ojode’s elder brother, Sam, said this information is meant to clarify an earlier one that indicated the body would land at Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay before it proceeds to Ratang’a, his home location.

Ndhiwa DC Geoffrey Omoding, who is also the chairman of the home burial committee, said preparation is complete.

Digging of the grave was set rolling by William Ochieng’, an engineer who was a friend of the late Ojode. But is contrary to  Luo custom, which dictates the first person to dig the grave of an adult man is his brother and the exercise has to take place in presence of his eldest son.

Kennedy Ombuoro, a family member, said the grave preparation is likely to cost the family about Sh150,000.

Ndhiwa District Public Works Officer, Samson Kivati, who was supervising the digging, said the work is expected to be complete this morning.

Premonition

In what seemed like premonition, Ombuoro said the late minister had showed him a place he would be buried in the compound.

“It has not taken two weeks before mheshimiwa pointed to me this place as where he would be buried if he died before me,” said Ombuoro. He used to stay with Ojode most of the time when he was at home.

Ojode is said to have also hinted to Okombo Ochungo, a family member, about his death.

“Just two weeks ago, when we were in his Village Resort Hotel in Ndhiwa town, he told me to use the opportunity he had in Government to create more job opportunities to the youth because he would die anytime,” added Ochungo.

About 20 bulls will be slaughtered during the burial.