Row in Ojodeh family blocks Sh20m payout

House Speaker Kenneth Marende cannot release Sh20 million to the family of former Internal Security minister Orwa Ojodeh because of a dispute.

Mr Marende said he had received a letter from Mr Ojodeh’s brother asking him to withhold payment of the insurance claims.

He said a decision had not been made following the receipt of the letter on Monday.

However, Mr Marende said that the payment would be made to the rightful beneficiaries in line with the provisions of the law.

He declined to disclose who the beneficiaries were, saying, the matter lay with the insurers who hold the policy.

But Kenindia Assurance managing director M. N. Sarma said Parliament, and not individual MPs, is covered under the Group Accident Cover.

“As far as we are concerned, we have done our part. It is Parliament that has the policy for the Group Accident Cover and we hope it will make the right decision in making payments to the beneficiaries,” Mr Sarma said after handing over the Sh21.224 million cheque to the Speaker.

A battle over the control of the former Internal Security assistant minister’s estate erupted on Monday when Mr Ojodeh’s brother, Samuel, wrote to Parliament asking it to halt payments until the family makes a decision on how the estate will be shared or administered. (READ: Row as Ojode's kin ask Marende to halt insurance pay)

The assistant minister died in a helicopter crash on June 10 alongside Internal Security minister Prof Saitoti, two bodyguards and two pilots. He was buried on June 17.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Marende dodged questions on who the beneficiaries were, saying that, that was a secret between an MP and the insurer.

All the 224 MPs are covered by Jubilee Insurance for life, while Kenindia provides group personal accident policy cover.

Jubilee has already submitted Sh30 million to be shared by the families of Prof Saitoti, Mr Ojodeh and former Environment Minister John Michuki.