Gloom as DC breaks news of death to church

Faithful at Nyarongi Catholic Church were still expecting their would-be guests of honour when the news of their death crept into Ratang’a Village in Ndhiwa on Sunday.

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojodeh were expected to lead a fund-raiser at the church located in Kwabwai Division.

Unaware of the early morning developments, the faithful were carrying on with the mass at 11.19am when Ndhiwa DC Geoffrey Omoding’ and police boss Job Lesikinua entered the church.

“I wish to bring to your attention that as you continue with the church service, our would-be guests— who include International Security minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode— who were already air borne coming to Nyarongi, have been involved in a chopper crash,” the DC told the mass.

A sombre mood suddenly descended on the church after the DC broke the news. A programme for the fund-raiser seen by the Nation indicated that it was to commence at 9am with a mass.

The second part of the programme was to include a short entertainment session, speeches and later on contributions. Shock and disbelief also hit Mr Ojodeh’s family after the DC broke the sad news to them.

His mother Hulda Ojodeh, stepmothers Regina Ojodeh, Yunia Ojodeh and Catherine Ojodeh, and relatives wailed uncontrollably upon receiving the news.

Mr Lesikinua had to console the minister’s brother, Samuel Awuodi Ojode, who was crestfallen. The arrival of the DC’s convoy at Mr Ojodeh’s home increased the intensity of the wails.

Operations at major trading centres within the constituency like Ndhiwa, Ratang’a and Mirogi were paralysed as residents discussed the sad news.