Andrew: 'My father befriended all'

Internal Security assistant minister Joshua Orwa Ojode was finally laid to rest shortly after 3pm in an emotional send off at his home in Homa Bay on Sunday.

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. Read (Ministers Saitoti, Ojode killed in chopper crash)

Ojode's family members, colleagues and friends eulogised him as a peace loving and a humble Kenyan who served all.

In his eulogy speech, Andrew Ojode, 21, who is also a deacon in Liverpool, England described his father as an independent man who spoke without "fear of criticism."

“His first born was Ndhiwa Constituency while his second born was the police department,” he said.

In a befitting tribute to his dad, Andrew said Mr Ojode lived each day to its fullest.

"He performed his duties diligently without party affiliation," he said. "In Nairobi he was referred to as 'Sirkal' and in his Constituency he was called 'Member'.

Andrew said majority of the youth in Ndhiwa Constituency have benefitted from numerous projects his dad had initiated.

"He believed in empowerment and poverty alleviation," he said.

Ojode's widow Mary said on the fateful Sunday morning, she insisted on travelling along with her husband to Ndhiwa Constituency for the church fundraising activity but he refused.

"Less than an hour after he left, someone called me asking if my husband had travelled in a plane with Saitoti to which I affirmed," she recalled.

She said the caller had heard of a plane mishap and it would be wise if she took up the matter.

Mary Ojode said that her son Andrew who studies abroad knew of his father's death through the press.

She also requested journalist to be sensitive when breaking news of such magnitude before the immediate family members are informed.

Tributes

During the ceremony President Kibaki noted that Mr Ojode transformed his Constituency by initiating development projects.

He also said that Ojode easily made friends along the political divide.

“His brand of politics was moderate," said President Kibaki.