[PHOTOS] Leaders, family attend funeral mass for ex-MP Dalmas Otieno

A requiem mass has been held for veteran politician Dalmas Otieno, who died on September 7, 2025, at his home in Nairobi after a brief illness.

Family, friends and leaders across the political divide attended the mass at the Don Bosco Catholic Church in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Among those at the mass were PLP leader Martha Karua, Migori governor Ochilo Ayako and former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero.

Born in Kangeso village, Rongo, Migori County, on April 19, 1945, Otieno leaves behind a storied legacy that stretches across Kenya's transition from the one-party era to

Otieno first rose to political prominence in 1988 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Rongo on a KANU ticket.

Under President Daniel Arap Moi, he served in several ministerial roles, including Minister for Industrialisation, Labour and Human Resource Development, and Transport and Communications during the 1990s.

In later years, Otieno aligned with the ODM party, reclaiming the Rongo seat in 2007 and serving as Minister of State for Public Service under the Grand Coalition government.

During his tenure, he initiated reforms such as raising the civil service retirement age and pushing for greater efficiency in the public service.

The news of his death elicited tributes from across the political divide. President William Ruto described Otieno as a "visionary leader" who served with honour, integrity, and distinction.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, and other leaders mourned the loss of a statesman whose calm demeanour, intellect, and principled leadership made him a respected figure in Kenyan public life.