I sincerely thank all the Kenyans, friends and well-wishers who supported me wholeheartedly during the difficult and sad moment following the passing on of my late Dad. I was profoundly touched by those who condoled with me and turned out in great numbers at the “Solidarity Party” which took place on April 10th 2010 in Stockholm.
Many thanks to Dr. Nathan Hassan who took a personal initiative to get the venue for the event through Marine Engineer Okullo Misala. I am very thankful to Mr. Okullo who assisted in booking the hall directly. My deepest appreciation goes to Ms. Malko Abdi Ali who bought quality food as her contribution to the function, and also selflessly took care of the kitchen sales all night long. She is a dear and caring friend whom I regard very highly. Mr. Thomas Ndaula, another very close friend of mine from Uganda who is based in Stockholm, personally contributed six crates of beer which quenched the thirst of the revelers that night. I thank him and his spouse Lillian, for their full support. I also thank Oti (Märsta) for donating the whisky bottles that kept guests in the right mood. Thanks also to Mr. Brian Arwa who tirelessly assisted with the practical needs for over twelve hours. He is an ambitious and intelligent young man whom I fondly regard as my son. I fully appreciate the help of my friend Ms. Ruth Mukuta, who prepared all the samosas and pilau which was consumed by guests at the Party.
I must mention Mr. Okoth Osewe as the media expert who got the public wired up with an excellent promotion of the Solidarity Party on his Kenya Stockholm Blog and prompt text messages. I thank him very much for sharing ideas to make it successful. DJ Jimmy, who is also my nephew, supported fully by playing great music throughout the night. He had the guests getting down non-stop as they swung majestically through various beats. I thank him from the bottom of my heart. The Party was very significant because it was attended by all types of Kenyans – a reminder of the early 1990s when Kenya-Stockholmers met as Kenyans and not ‘clusters of tribes’.
Many thanks to Brother Muirani, Ms. Catherine Kiboi and Brother Anthony Muraya who graced the Solidarity Party with prayers and preaching, thereby uplifting the guests spiritually. I thank them too for consoling and motivating me to stay strong.
I appreciate all those who sent condolences via text messages, e-mails, telephone and KSB. They comforted and encouraged me very much during that difficult moment.
I was quite happy to see that during my 20 years of stay in Sweden, I have made friends and acquaintances that cut across the Kenyan community and beyond. Mr. Ngatia and his wife Mama Grace Nyambura gave full support and spoke kindly at the Solidarity Party. Mr. Otieno Opee and his son Odhiambo Opee (Junior) were there to console, just like Mrs. Hellen Opwapo (ODM-Scandinavia Chairlady) and Ms. Petty Osewe. Mr. Samson Mande from Uganda (founder of Network for African Unity) spoke and spiced up the occasion by challenging the donation of the “Ingwe” group from Västerås (the Makokhas) that was composed of Vincent Makokha, his wife MM, his brother Kizi, brother in-law Dr. Lwaki and friend, Caro Muniale. I am grateful to these very dear friends who came all the way to condole with me.
Among those who attended and donated cash generously were: Mr. Ngolia Kimanzu, Daniel Mwaura, Patrick Mwangi (Manto), Joseph Goga (Coolie), Joel Okembia, Ms. Lenzah Aroka, Enock Otuga, Jasper Orieny, Jacob Opande, Mrs. Okoth Osewe, Nelly and her husband Lawi. Many thanks to Hulda and her sister Alice, Mr. Albert Mawa and his wife Teresa, Tony Odera, Joshua Oyugi, my colleague Cresantus Biamba from Cameroon, friends from Burundi, Gerry Midenyo, Clay Onyango and his wife Liz, Nancy Mungai, Rose Adero, Atoti, Monica Otieno, Bridget, William Tuitoek, Munala wa Munala, Moses Kangogo, George Obor, Peter Ong’olo, Ole Ngais, Nancy Mbaye, Huda Ceasar (Uganda), Mr. Banda from Malawi, Serah Nielsen, Joseph Munene (Man Nzoro), Nderi Muchiri, Nancy Osumba, Carol Nyaga, Billy Boy (Kenya-Stockholm number one rap artist), Ann Njenga and fiancé Johan, Charles Oketch and many others whom I deeply acknowledge.
There were scores of friends and well-wishers who donated cash through various channels to enable my travel home. Even if I do not mention all of them here, I cherish their concern during that moment. I recognize the generosity of Ms. Judith Awino, who is a close friend of mine based in Germany, Gabriel Riako (Finland), Ms. Faith Agalo, and Mr. Wagunya Kaggiri. I thank Mrs. Florence Asum, Mr. Charles Otieno (Oti), Mr. Laban Mberi and Mr. Peter Gitau, my colleague Dr. Kiwako Nyström, Mr. Antony Otieno Ong’ayo (Holland), Ms. Shola Abidoye (USA), Mr. Oduor Olande, Mr. Ochieng’ MacOcholla, Mr. Mark Gaya, Ms. Rose Wachera, Jackie Nyaga, Patrick Odhiambo, Dan Aroka, Mr. David Obanda, Mr. Ochieng Nyambok, and Mr. Gideon Oketch (Giddy). I also acknowledge others who did not write their names beside their donations.
My father’s burial on April 25th 2010 went smoothly with over 1000 mourners in attendance, including former Kenya-Stockholmers Dr. Wycliffe Odiwuor and Mr. Thomas Opande. It was encouraging to hear speaker after speaker praising his dedication and personal efforts to establish various schools and churches in my rural area, such as Luora Secondary School and Nyaluya Seventh Day Adventist Church. He has left a solid legacy and a track record of community development projects that he initiated during a span of 40 years, besides his formal employment as a manager at the CMC Motors Group Ltd. He continued the same trend after his retirement, and even mobilized for the establishment of Obunga Health Centre, which is the first of its kind in my rural home for basic health care. May his soul rest in eternal peace as his legacy lives on.
Jared Odero
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