By: Vincent Mabutuk.
Tears flew freely at a church function in Mogotio on Sunday evening as area MP Prof Hellen Sambili handed over sh20, 000 donation from the late internal security minister prof George Saitoti.
Most of the congregation had left their homes before the sad news and only learnt it from the MP when she rose to address a church fundraising in aid of Mogotio African Inland Church.
Overcome by the emotions, the worshipers reached out for their handkerchiefs to wipe out tears while others made short prayers in disbelief.
Prof Sambili said she met the late minister at the sidelines of the Mombasa conference on peace because she wanted him to travel to Baringo County over the witnessed insecurity in the area.
“The late minister agreed to tour the place in July but within our discussions, I informed him about today’s harambee and gave me sh20, 000 as his donation”, mourned the MP.
Police chopper on Sunday morning killed the minister and his assistant minister Joshua Orwa Ojode and four others at Kabiku in Ngong on their way to a fundraiser in Homa Bay.
In her condolence messages, the Mogotio MP described the two as dedicated civil servant and a hardworking assistant minister respectively.
Sambili who at one time served as active minister of higher education took the church through the ministries Prof Saitoti has served both during Moi’s and Kibaki’s Government.
The presiding bishop AIC Kenya bishop Sailas Yego who was the chief guest during the fundraiser said Saitoti served the nation for over three decades with all his heart.
“Saitoti served this country with dedication and love. We have lost a true Kenyan and a leader”, said Yego.
Baringo County governor aspirant Kiprono Chelugui said the death of Ojode is a great loss to a promising young leader who cut across political divide and urged Christians to pray for the nation especially during these hard times.
Mr Chelugui said the news have come at a time the nation is at war with the external enemy and called on Kenyans to remain firm and pray for the families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragic accident.