Man in former Office of the President Minister, Raphael Tuju’s divorce case buried

Updated Sunday, July 14th 2013 at 22:43 GMT +3

By JAMES OMORO

KENYA: The man behind former Office of the President Minister, Raphael Tuju’s marriage tribulations was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Homa Bay County.

Thousands of mourners thronged Kaksingri Manyala Village  to pay their last respects to the late Tony Ogunda.

Ogunda was buried at his mother Florance Ogunda’s home in Suba District as friends and family members called on the Government to provide them with justice.

Mourners told the Government to carry out quick investigations so that action could be taken against those behind his death.

Provide security

 “It is the responsibility of the Government to provide security to its people. We shall not allow anybody to silence us on this matter and we want the Governmentto be brisk in conducting investigations to pave the way for justice to this family,” said Homa Bay Deputy Speaker Osuri Omoro.

Relatives described the late Ogunda as a handsome and visionary young man who would have significantly contributed to the county’s economy.

The late Ogunda’s uncle, Tobias Odundo, challenged the youth to heed their parents to avoid going astray. Hinting at Ogunda’s relationship with Tuju’s wife,Ruth Akinyi, Odundo challenged the youth to take advice from the elderly regardless of their educational background.

“Some young people think if they are more learned than their parents, they should not listen to their advice, yet that is the beginning of straying in life,” Odundo said.

Religious leaders

Ogunda was found dead in a house belonging to Tuju, a former Rarieda MP, on July 2.

Prior to his death, the late Ogunda was accused of befriending Akinyi, a relationship that prompted the former minister to file a divorce case against his wife.

Ogunda’s mother said she had called religious leaders to hold prayers before her son’s death so as to salvage him from allegations that he was befriending the former MP’s wife.