TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

A sea of orange, a chorus of dirges, and raw emotion defined the final journey of the slain Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were, whose burial brought Kachieng Village in Homa Bay County to a standstill.

The emotional ceremony on Friday, May 9, was attended by a host of political heavyweights, including Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who led a delegation of MPs in mourning their fallen colleague.

ODM honoured his final wish by draping his coffin in the party flag, as supporters flooded the homestead in orange attire, a powerful tribute echoed from a resurfaced 2024 video in which the MP had asked ODM faithful to attend his funeral in large numbers.

Photos and videos seen by captured moments of deep sorrow among residents of Kasipul.

Traditional Luo dirges filled the air, while grief-stricken mourners struggled to come to terms with the loss of a leader many described as fearless and devoted.

Pallbearers clad in black T-shirts solemnly escorted the casket to the gravesite as the MP’s emotionally drained family looked on, their pain etched into every step of the procession.

Earlier on, Boyd Were, the son of the late MP, delivered a stirring eulogy that transformed the mood of mourning into one of resolve and defiance.

Despite grappling with the pain of losing his father to violence, Boyd stood firm, vowing to uphold Ong'ondo Were’s legacy.

“My father raised me to be fearless,” he said, standing beside his grieving siblings. “This tragedy will not break us. The people of Kasipul will not be silenced.”

His powerful words were met with loud applause and cheers from the crowd, as he pledged to carry forward his father’s mission.

Boyd further assured mourners that the Were family would remain united and unwavering in the face of adversity.

Video of the funeral proceedings:

The Kasipul MP was shot dead on the night of Tuesday, April 30, near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.

So far, several suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing. Among those in custody are his driver, bodyguard, politician and businessman Phillip Aroko, and Lake Basin Development Authority board member Ebel Ochieng.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has vowed to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice, as they continue to piece together the circumstances that led to the MP’s death.

Source: TUKO.co.ke