ODM loyalist Monica Amolo never left her rungu behind

She always carried her trademark orange rungu (club) during ODM rallies.

Mrs Monica Amolo (right) was a staunch supporter of the Orange party and a grassroots mobiliser known for her combative speeches, colourful, flowing dresses and Nubian beehive hairdo.

She was popular with the youth of Homa Bay.

On Tuesday, they demanded that she speaks at an ODM campaign rally that was addressed by Cord leader Raila Odinga.

A strong supporter of Mr Odinga, her trademark rungu was inscribed with the words Agwambo Nyale, loosely meaning "Raila is the man".

ODM leaders on Wednesday paid glowing tribute to Mrs Amolo, the acting party chairperson in Homa Bay County who died in a road accident on Tuesday night.

Hours before her death, she was not in her usual jovial and vibrant mood, according to her fellow politicians.

Those who interacted with her were surprised that the usually pushy campaigner was unusually calm most of the time.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma, who was the master of ceremonies, recalled that the “tiger” (her nick name) was not keen to address the rally.

She also handed over her club to Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, who carried it most of the day.