All roads lead to Ojode’s burial

Officers from the crack General Service Unit will ensure security during the burial of Internal Security assistant minister Joshua Ojode at his home in Homa Bay on Saturday.

The chairman of the district security committee Geoffrey Omondi said the officers have been called in to reinforce the administration and regular police from Nyanza.

A number of dignitaries, including President Kibaki, are expected at the burial of the Ndhiwa MP.

The decision to step up security was arrived at to forestall a repeat of the incidents witnessed on Friday when Mr Ojode’s body arrived in Ndhiwa.

‘’We do not want to take any chances judging from what we saw when the body of the assistant minister arrived,” said the DC.

At the late Ojode’s Unga home, workers put the final touches at the grave. Hundreds of mourners started streaming into the home as early as 6 a.m where they had a glimpse of the coffin that was draped with the national flag.

Mourners underwent a rigorous check at the two gates to the assistant minister’s heavily guarded home. The body lay in a hut where Mr Ojode used to meet friends.

Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church led mourners in day-long prayers with Evangelist Joseph Omole and Pastor Paul Owuor presiding.

Mr Ojode’s political career was cut short by a helicopter crash in Ngong forest one week ago, which also killed Internal Security minister George Saitoti, two body guards and two pilots.

The Ndhiwa MP has been widely eulogised as a leader who built bridges across party and ethnic lines. Twenty-four-year-old Beatrice Omollo, a local resident, described Mr Ojode as a generous man who kept his word.

“Although I came from neighbouring Gwasi constituency, he helped secure a job at a company owned by his friend. I feel I have lost a father.”