Sunday, June 17, 2012

Andrew: 'My father befriended all'


Andrew: 'My father befriended all'

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Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode was buried at his home in Homa Bay on June 17, 2012. Photo/FILE
Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode was buried at his home in Homa Bay on June 17, 2012. Photo/FILE 
By EMMANUEL TOILI etoili@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, June 17  2012 at  15:03
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.
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"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.
Kibaki also said that the country should reflect on the eulogy speeches on peace by Ojode's widow and son.
"Let us heed the advise given to us by Andrew and his mother," he said.
He said that Ojode and Saitoti did their jobs diligently especially when answering questions in Parliament.
"I receive copies of their speeches before they go to Parliament. I know they did a great work," he said.
Kibaki also urged the Ndhiwa Constituent residents to elect a hardworking leader who will follow in Ojode's footsteps.
"You are residents of this Constituency, you know whom you can elect," he said.
While paying his tribute, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Mr Ojode worked diligently in all the ministries he served.
After forming the Coalition government, I took Orwa Ojode to the Internal Security docket because I knew he would perform well" he said.
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On a light touch, PM Odinga said that Mr Ojode was appointed an assistant minister because during the coalition negotiations, the PNU side of government had already taken the dockets of Internal Security and the Defence.
He said Mr Ojode worked for his constituent members and in certain occasion, he would seek consultations on way forward.
Gichugu MP Martha Karua said that Mr Ojode was among few ministers who still supported her when she quit her cabinet position.
"When I left government, most ministers were not comfortable dealing with me, but Ojode had no problem," she said. "He never worried or took notice of ethnicity or where one comes from."
Minister for Trade Moses Wetangula described Mr Ojode as "a man who never made enemies."
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi described Mr Ojode as a person who was eloquent in Parliament when answering questions from MPs.
Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgei said Mr Ojode worked tirelessly in ensuring that the Coalition government was stable despite its challenges.
Transport Minister Amos Kimunya said he enjoyed working with Mr Ojode between 2003 and 2005 in the Lands ministry.
"Between 2003 and 2005, nobody can say that Orwa Ojode and Kimunya took land from squatters, yet we had all the powers to allocate land to ourselves," he said.
Mr Kimunya said that Ojode was weary of 'professional squatters' who sold land leaving them homeless with the hope of getting more land from government.
Lands Minister James Orengo noted that Mr Ojode worked in unity with all his colleagues.
"Just imagine Ojode working together with Saitoti as though they were meant for each other," he said. "Orwa Ojode has shown us that not anybody can be a minister unless one is focussed.

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