More controversy as slain MP is laid to rest

A sombre mood yesterday engulfed Kachien village in Oyugis as mourners gathered to bury the body of slain MP Ong’ondo Were amid calls to the government to bring his killers to book.

And in a controversial call and a case of an eye for an eye, ODM leader Raila Odinga said that those who murdered the MP must meet the same fate.

 Raila also moved to strengthened his ODM party and restore order following persistent squabbles between his allies over the so-called broad-based government.

Raila, who described Were’s death as a political assassination, said that his blood cannot go in vain, adding that he knows those who murdered the MP.

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“We will not accept that the blood of Ong’ondo can be spilled like this, and those who killed him are not killed,” he said.

In his speech, Raila recounted how the slain MP had expressed fears for his life and described his murder as unfortunate, adding that political assassinations should not take place in a democracy.

The ODM leader recounted how the slain MP squeezed himself into his vehicle during the Piny Luo Festivals, which was held in Homa Bay last year to escape attackers.

“There is a day he jumped into my vehicle as I was leaving the Piny Luo Festival and he told me he had seen some people who were after his life,” said Raila.

Raila described his murder as unfortunate, adding that some of the people involved in the murder are those who had lost the elections to the late MP.

“Ongondo's death is very painful. He was a great Kenyan by all Standards who was very correct in everything that he did,”  he eulogized him.

He claimed that although some suspects had been arrested in connection to the murder, the masterminds of the act are yet to be apprehended.

“I hope the investigation can lead to these people, because those who have been arrested are merely agents. They had trailed him since the morning of the day they killed him,” he said.

He dismissed claims that the late MP lived a double life and was also involved in terrorizing his critics, arguing that he was never summoned or arrested by the police over the claims.

The ODM chief urged Kenyans to embrace a culture of tolerance and described political assassinations as a impunity that should be a thing of the past.

“We cannot live in a society that tolerates impunity. It must come to an end. This is a political assassination and political assassinations must come to an end.  We must build a society where people can disagree and shake hands,” said Raila.

During the burial, the ODM leader also sought to restore order in his party even as he maintained that their commitment to working with the Kenya Kwanza government.

Raila, who maintained that they are keen to continue supporting the broad-based government, called for sobriety among his party members.

Earlier on, his allies had clashed with the party's Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over the support for a broad-based government.

"Every party has its ideologies and must stick to them and communicate them. The person who communicates party ideologies is the Secretary General," said Raila.

This is after Secretary General Edwin Sifuna acknowledged that there are ideological differences within the party over their union with Ruto.

He claimed he cannot take instructions from any other person, other than Raila, and dismissed claims that there is a broad-based government.

"ODM is not in government, and neither is the party SG. All political parties are in the business of winning the presidency. We are still hoping our party can form the government in the next election," said Sifuna.

In his speech, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi accused Sifuna of impeding their efforts to serve in the government.

Mbadi emphasized that he was still a live member of ODM, hence Sifuna should not talk in a manner that scuttles the relationship between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza Government.

“Mr Sifuna, I want you to know that I am still a member of ODM and I am a live member. What you are doing is not good. What we require is your support because if we fail in the government, you will not convince Kenyans in future that there is a reason for ODM to form a government,” Mbadi said.

Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko accused Sifuna of making comments which denies ODM elected leaders have the freedom to interact with government officials.

“Sifuna, allow us to visit government officials freely. Allow us also to interact freely with members of other political parties,” Ochillo said.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga said ODM is fully in the broad-based government arrangement, and the party members should support the arrangement.

“ODM is working closely with the government through the broad-based arrangement. That relationship is very strong, and there is no doubt that we will achieve what we agreed on,” Wanga said.

Wanga, however, maintained that Homa Bay will remain an ODM zone. 

But when Raila took the podium, he defended Sifuna, saying he was speaking on behalf of ODM.

Raila argued that ODM is a democratic party where anybody can say anything. However, after everybody has made dissenting opinions, it is the responsibility of the party to give the official position through its spokesperson, the Secretary General.

“ODM is a democratic party where members can say anything they want. But eventually, the party has given its official position on the matter. This position is given by the Secretary General, who is Sifuna,” Odinga said.

He, however, urged Sifuna not to be very harsh against the government.

“Mr Sifuna, sometimes, don't be very harsh,” Raila said.

He said ODM is committed to ensuring that the ten-point agenda they signed with the government is implemented.

“We have a firm stand that our agenda we signed with the government, must be implemented,” Odinga said.

The Opposition leader emphasized his commitment to support all the ODM officials who were given jobs in the government.

The leaders and relatives mourned Were as a man who dedicated his life to transforming the lives of others.

In a glowing tribute, Margaret Were, the first wife of the late MP, said they had lost the voice of their family.

"You were my friend. The voice of our marriage. Your love was unshakable. You were peaceful and loved your family," said Were.

Boyd Were, his son, said they are not intimidated with his murder and describe him as a fearless man who did not raise cowards.

"Those who killed my husband must be brought to book. We only want justice. Only then, we will be at peace," said Anne Were, his second wife.