Leaders, residents mourn MP Oroo Oyioka
A somber mood engulfed Bomwancha village, Bonchari Constituency in Kisii County following the death of area Member of Parliament, John Oroo Oyioka at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu on Monday.
Governor James Ongwae, Speaker David Kombo and former Kisii South Knut Executive Secretary Geoffrey Mogire and Peoples Democratic Party Leader James Omingo mourned Oroo, 71, terming him as an educationist and development conscious leader.
The Mp, who locals described as generous, left behind a widow Teresa Bitutu and five children - two boys and three girls.
Mogire, who hails from the constituency, said the MP a mentor, focused and a courageous man who fought for his political space until he won in 2013 and 2017.
The MP vied through KANU in 2013. He won but rival, Zebedeo Opore of Ford People Party was declared winner after recount after Oroo complained over his margin of victory.
In the polls, Oroo garnered 8,987 while Opore got 8,992 a margin of 5 votes. He filed a petition and High court Judge, Ruth Sitati declared Oroo winner.
Opore challenged the ruling in the court of Appeal, won and it ordered a by-election in which Opore won. Oroo had served for only six months.
In 2017, Oyioka contested the Bonchari Parliamentary seat through PDP and won.
Mourning Oyioka, Mogire said: “ He has been a leading light on matters education and infrastructure and brought our constituency to be at par with other developed ones.”
He said the Mp put up Montesori primary and secondary schools and Angelic teacher training College, which created jobs and benefitted residents.
“Oyioka was a calm person. During his reign, we witnessed peace in our constituency. I salute him,” Mogire told People Daily at Oroo’s residence.
Magara said the MP was an accomplished teacher who was humble and disciplined, adding the party has lost one of its pillars.
“Our party has lost a humble and vibrant leader. I urge the family to be strong as they mourn him,” Magara said.
Ongwae said he knew Oyioka in 2003 when he and Mogire went to the Teachers Service Commission when he ( Ongwae) was a Chief Executive Officer.
The Governor, who visited the family said the county and national governments will support the family ensure that the Mp is accorded a befitting send off.
He told Oroo’s s eldest son Julius Oroo to care for the family and urged widow Bitutu to be strong during the difficult time.
