Parliament to apply law on Ojodeh's estate

By Steve Mkawale

Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende has said no decision has been made yet on a letter to parliament by the elder brother of the late Internal Security assistant Minister Orwa Ojodeh over deceased’s estate.

Marende, who yesterday received a second cheque of Sh 21.2million from Kenindia Assurance-for personal accident cover- to be shared equally between the families of the late Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti and Ojodeh’s, said parliament will apply the law to decide the beneficiary in the Ojodeh case.

“I want to confirm that we have received a letter from Ojode’s elder brother and we will effect payment in accordance with the law,” said the Speaker when receiving the cheque from the Managing Director of Kenindia Assurance Mr M.M Sarma.

However, it was not clear who between parliament and the insurance company would make a final decision after Marende declined to state who the beneficiary of the insurance cover is in regard to the Ojode family saying those details were in the domain of the insurance company.

But Mr Sarma said the accident cover was general for legislators and the National Assembly was the right institution to make a decision on the matter.

“We have insured all the parliamentarians as a group and the decision about who are individual beneficiaries can best be answered by the National Assembly,” said Mr. Sarma.

Ten days ago, Marende received the first cheque of MPs group life cover from Jubilee Insurance Company amounting to over Sh30million for onward transmission to the families of the Late Environment Minister John Michuki, Prof. Saitoti and Ojode.

The Ojode family is entitled to over Sh20million from the two insurance covers.

This comes as the family of the late Ojodeh is engaged in a tussle over his estate.

His elder brother Samuel Awuodi Ojodeh wrote to Mr Marende urging him to stop payment of any compensation to the widow-Mary Awuor Ojodeh.

In his letter, he claims Mary Awuor Ojode has refused to discuss with the family on matters concerning the estate of his deceased brother.

Awuodi claims he has written the letter on behalf of their mother Ulda Aloo Ojodeh and other dependants of the deceased.

He wants parliament not to release any compensation or benefits to Mrs. Ojodeh and if any payment is made, then it should be to the public Trustee who will hold the same for the benefit of the dependants.

The letter was also copied to the Clerk of the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi, Ojodeh’s wife and her lawyer, Lutta and company Advocates.

The late Ojodeh died in a plane crash in Ngong on June 10. Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti and four police officers also perished in the accident.