NAIROBI, Kenya — In a powerful blend of grief and loyalty, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Friday turned the burial of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were into a moving tribute painted in bold, unmistakable orange.
ODM, led by party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, delivered on the slain MP’s final wish: to be laid to rest wrapped in the colours of the political party he so fiercely loved.
This wasn’t your typical political send-off. It was personal, passionate, and deeply symbolic.
ODM Flag Draped Over Coffin in Tribute
When Were declared last year at a funeral in Migori that he wished to be buried in an ODM flag, many thought it was just a sentimental statement. It wasn’t.
“When I rest, I ask our people of ODM to wrap me in a flag, and you come in big numbers,” he said then—his words now echoing through the hills of Homa Bay.
True to his wish, ODM supporters came out in force. His casket, draped in the party’s signature orange flag, stood at the center of an emotionally charged ceremony in his rural Kachien home.
Hundreds of mourners donning orange caps and scarves—distributed by the party itself—filled the burial ground in a vibrant show of unity.
“This room is a sea of orange colours as Were expected,” said Governor Wanga, clearly moved by the overwhelming turnout.
A Loyal Soldier of the Orange Party
Were was more than just a member of Parliament—he was, in the words of Edwin Sifuna, “one of ODM’s most dedicated and dependable members.”
The funeral, held at Karabok Primary School in Kasipul constituency, was both solemn and celebratory, reflecting the deep admiration the party had for him. Sifuna noted that Were’s legacy would endure, not just in Parliament but in the very fabric of ODM.
“He wished to be buried in party colours because he truly loved the ODM party,” said Sifuna, thanking local leaders and the community for honouring his memory.
It was a burial that looked more like a political rally—except this time, the rallying cry was for remembrance.
The Murder That Shook ODM
Ong’ondo Were’s death was as shocking as it was brutal. On April 30, he was gunned down in Nairobi near the City Mortuary roundabout by a lone gunman who escaped on a waiting motorcycle. He had reportedly been switching vehicles and was increasingly paranoid—fearing he was being followed.
Police later confirmed that his killers had been tracking his movements for days. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but it has left a cloud of sorrow and anger hanging over Kenya’s political scene.
Were, a devout Catholic and outspoken MP, had previously warned associates that he felt unsafe. His fears, tragically, were not unfounded.
Honouring Loyalty with Legacy
Friday’s burial was more than a farewell—it was a political statement wrapped in orange. It reinforced the bond between ODM and its most ardent defenders. And in honouring Were’s wish, the party sent a clear message: loyalty will not be forgotten.
In a time of growing political tension and uncertainty, this funeral served as a rare moment of unity—and a vibrant reminder that, for ODM, honouring its heroes goes far beyond speeches.
As the final prayers were said and the crowd slowly dispersed, one thing was clear: Were’s orange legacy won’t fade any time soon.
