Odinga family mark anniversary for Jaramogi and Fidel

CORD leader Raila Odinga during the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga/ Fidel Odinga memorial service in Bondo Siaya county on January 30 2016. [Photo:COLLINS ODUOR/Standard]

The Odinga family yesterday marked the first anniversary for Fidel and the 22nd for the legendary Jaramogi at an elaborate ceremony in Bondo, Siaya County. The event that was marked in pomp and colour was attended by CORD Principal Raila Odinga, his wife Ida, Fidel's widow Lwam Bekele, the immediate family together with various politicians allied to the coalition.

The memorial which started at 9 in the morning kicked off with the Odinga family laying wreathes at the graveside of Fidel, Jaramogi and Mary Oginga, Jaramogi's wife.

Later, Bondo Diocese Anglican Church Bishop Johannes Angela's led the family in a brief prayer session at the grave side before they headed to an open ground at Kang'o ka Jaramogi for a church service. Here, Oburu's son Jaoko paid tribute on behalf of Jaramogi's grandchildren while Rosemary paid tribute to Fidel.

Miss Bekele also got a chance to share with the congregation how life has been without her husband Fidel.

"It has been a challenging year for the Odinga family and me. But through God's grace, we have made it this far," said Lwam. Rosemary also got a chance to celebrate her elder brother.

"My late brother taught me how to be responsible and that is why he remains my hero," she said.

But the highlight of the day was the main event at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology ground that brought together at least 35 elected CORD leaders and politics took centre stage. The governors who graced the event include Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Zachary Obado (Migori), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) and Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) among others.

The Senators are James Orengo (Siaya), Peter Anyang Nyong'o (Kisumu) Moses Wetangula (Bungoma), Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay) and nominated senators Elizabeth Ongoro and Agnes Zani.

The function also saw those who defected from ODM during the last General Election come back as they try to reposition themselves ahead of the 2017 General Elections.

Politics aside, the little-known Bar Chando Primary School pupils wowed the crowd when they presented a powerful song that highlighted the recent corruption scandals that have have tainted the image of the country like the Eurobond, Anglo-leasing and the infamous Artur's saga.

On the entertainment front, the ever-talented ohangla musician Lady Maureen thrilled the enthusiastic crowd with a touching song that paid glowing tributes to the late Fidel.

Indeed, the high profile ceremony brought life and drama to the erstwhile quiet town of Bondo.