Video Shows Ong'ondo Were's Grave Exquisitely Tiled and Ready Ahead of Burial
- Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was fatally shot near City Mortuary in Nairobi on April 30 and later pronounced dead at the hospital
- A memorial service was conducted at Consolata Shrine in Westlands in his honour on May 7
- A video taken at his Kachien home in Kasipul shows the exquisite grave where Were will be laid to rest
Residents of Kasipul in Homa Bay county are mourning their late Member of Parliament, Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Source: Facebook
Were was shot dead on April 30 at the roundabout near City Mortuary along Ngong Road in Nairobi county.
The MP was rushed to the hospital following the incident but was pronounced dead on arrival.
When is Ong’ondo Were’s burial?
The late Kasipul MP’s family, friends, and colleagues held a requiem mass in his honour at Consolata Shrine in Westlands on Wednesday, May 7.
The sombre event was attended by dignitaries and politicians, particularly from the ODM faction.
A death and funeral announcement earlier shared by the family indicates that Were’s cortege is set to leave the funeral home on Thursday, May 8, for an overnight vigil in Kendu, Homa Bay county.
He will then be laid to rest at his home in Kachien village, Kasipul, on Friday, May 9.
Source: Youtube
Details of Ong’ondo Were’s exquisite grave
In a video shared by Homabay Digital Media, glimpses of the slain legislator’s grave were captured.
The grave, which will serve as the final resting place for the lawmaker in Kachien village, has been exquisitely constructed, befitting a man of his calibre.
Inside the grave, white tiles cover the lower sections and sides, with black and gold detailing near the top, adding a refined and elegant finish.
A silver lining along the edges provides a smooth finish, with metallic strips seemingly added to reinforce the structure.
Additionally, bricks surrounding the grave suggest that further construction work will be carried out after the MP’s burial.
In the video, a man is seen cleaning the grave in preparation for the overnight vigil and funeral.
Were's family shows gratitude to politicians
The late MP is survived by two widows and six children, including Proctor Ojola, Boyd Were, Pascal Ochieng, Ryan Odhiambo, Emmaculate Were, and Gynsen Were.
Ong'ondo's wives, Margaret and Anne, expressed their gratitude to the politicians who have stood by them since the MP passed away.
They warmly welcomed all those who visited Were's home, demonstrating strength and unity despite the hard time.
Pros of tiled tombstones
Tiled graves and tombstones have grown in popularity among different cultures due to some cultural and practical advantages.
To start with, tiled tombstones are more durable and readily protect the grave from harsh weather conditions such as rain and erosion. They also prevent the growth of weeds in the grave, thus keeping it neat.
Secondly, a tiled tombstone is also easier to maintain than the earthen ones. They help families keep the resting place of their loved one looking presentable with minimal effort.
In many other communities, keeping a ceramic tombstone is a sign that the loved one was deeply loved and cherished. It shows the family's continued love and honour of the deceased even after death.
Prevention of vandalism is also a factor. In cemeteries such as Lang'ata, cases of vandalising cemeteries are not uncommon, and so securing the grave with a tiled tombstone protects it from such incidents.
Going for a tiled tombstone also helps create a long-lasting memory for your loved one, as their photo can be engraved to ensure their memories live on.
Who are the suspects in Ong’ondo Were’s murder case?
TUKO.co.ke reported that several individuals, including the slain Kasipul MP’s bodyguard and driver, were arrested following his death.
Four suspects were apprehended on Saturday, May 3, during an operation led by the Operations Support Unit's technical team.
During the same operation, detectives recovered the vehicle used by the suspects and their accomplices in their escape.
To intensify efforts to solve the murder of the Kasipul MP, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the driver and bodyguard who were present during the shooting of Ong’ondo Were on May 6.
Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, added details of the pros of tiled tombstones.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
