Kasipul MP Ong'ondo to be buried next Friday
The parliamentary funeral committee has confirmed that a requiem mass will be held at the Holy Family Basilica on May 7.
Plans are underway to lay Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were to rest on May 9, as leaders from Parliament, the county government, and the Orange Democratic Movement coordinate his final journey following his fatal shooting in Nairobi.
The parliamentary funeral committee, led by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, has confirmed that a requiem mass will be held at the Holy Family Basilica on May 7.
The body will then be moved to his rural home in Kasipul on May 8 ahead of the burial.
The county government of Homa Bay is playing an active role in the preparations.
Governor Gladys Wanga said the county will improve the road leading to the MP’s home to support access for mourners.
"We are supporting the funeral plans and upgrading the road to ease movement," she said.
ODM, the party under which Were served, has said his casket will be draped in party colours as a mark of respect.
Members of Parliament are also closely involved in the process.
A group of lawmakers will visit the MP’s home today to assess the situation and plan with local teams.
Security and coordination are being overseen by Peter Kaluma and Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang, while Parliament will send additional staff to help manage the event.
A separate team, including Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, Kisumu East’s Rozaah Buyu, and Dr Eve Obara, has taken charge of the late MP’s Nairobi home.
Their task is to ensure mourners have access to the residence to pay their respects in an orderly way.
An online fundraiser has also been launched to help meet the funeral expenses.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, and Kigumo MP Wangari Mwaniki are leading the collection of contributions from Parliamentary colleagues.
Governor Wanga will be in touch with other government departments to support the event.
As arrangements continue, attention has also turned to the investigation into the shooting.
A postmortem will be carried out on Monday, May 5, to assist in the probe.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has said the examination will be conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor.
Parliament will be represented at the postmortem by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya and Seme MP James Nyikal. The findings of the autopsy are expected to support the ongoing investigations.