Were, a vocal legislator and unwavering supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga, had publicly expressed his wish to be buried in a casket draped in the party’s flag.
In a heartfelt message last year during the funeral of ODM Migori county chairman, Philip Odero Makabong’o, Were declared:
“When I rest, I ask our people of ODM to wrap me in a [party] flag, and you come in big numbers. I don’t have much to say. We Catholics know that if you worship God and build the temple of God, life is in you,” he said amid loud cheers.
True to his request, ODM and its supporters turned up in large numbers, ensuring that Were's final journey was exactly as he envisioned courtesy of a party he so dearly cherished.
The burial ceremony, held at his rural home in Kachien, Homa Bay county, was a sea of orange as ODM officials, local leaders and thousands of mourners gathered in solidarity and tribute.
The party also distributed hundreds of caps and scarves to mourners in tribute to a man widely described as one of ODM’s most loyal and steadfast members.
“Today, we have honoured Hon Were’s wish and draped his coffin in party colours. I'm happy with the work done to honour him,” ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said.
Were was gunned down on April 30 near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi by a lone gunman who escaped on a waiting motorbike.
The MP had expressed fear over his life and switched vehicles in an effort to throw off people he believed were after his life, but police said his killers appeared to have been monitoring him for days and were aware of every move he made.
ODM honoured Were’s final wish at an emotionally charged funeral ceremony in which leaders turned his burial into a celebration of loyalty and legacy.
Addressing mourners at Karabok Primary School in Kasipul constituency, Sifuna described Were as one of the party’s most dedicated and dependable members.
“He had wished to be buried in party colours because he truly loved the ODM party,” Sifuna said and thanked Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga for her role in organising the burial ceremony.
Wanga said: "This room is a sea of orange colours as Were expected.''
