By Reuben Olita
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) lecturer, department of spatial planning Dr Naomi Apali Mogoria, was on Saturday laid to rest at their Amagoro residence in Teso North Sub County.
Iteso Cultural leader Papa Paul Sande Emolot
Dr Naomi, 54, was the wife to 2022 gubernatorial contestant Daniel Mogoria. She lives behind four children, the last born being 18 years.
Mrs Mogoria was a registered physical planner, EIA lead expert, accredited mediator, and gender consultant, member of Kenya Institute of Planners, elder CITAM Church Kisumu and chairperson Ad Hoc committee on classification of urban areas.
former Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong
Among the leaders who attended the funeral service presided over by pastors from CITAM Church Kisumu included Busia Governor H.E Dr Paul Otuoma, Deputy Governor Arthur Odera, former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, Teso South MP Mary Emaase, Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu, Special Secreary in the Deputy President Office, Patrick Omutia, former and current CECMs and Chief Officers and several lecturers among others.
In his condolence message, the governor thanked Dr. Naomi for the life she spent describing her as humble, God fearing and serving the Lord with all her heart.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma
“I contested with the deceased husband in 2022 elections. I am happy he is not like some people who start politicking early instead of using that time to do other things,” he said.
The Governor added: ” Mr Mogoria has demonstrated our life is not defined by this office. I am serving to deliver for the people of Busia.”
Former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong said he knew Dr. Naomi well during his tenure as the first county chief when the fallen scholar worked on a programme on spatial plan, which she did very well and gave her recommendations.
Hon Ojaamong said he also worked with the deceased husband Daniel Mogoria, who was his chief officer for Education and Vocational Training, describing him as a gentleman and a sober person; he noted that Mogoria discharged his duties diligently, and they achieved a lot after his tenure.
Cabinet Minister for roads and public works in the government of Iteso Cultural leader Papa Paul Sande Emolot, Okwara Ekirapa delivered their leader’s message of condolence.
“Papa Emormor would have been with us here today, but owing to his coronation ceremony in Soroti that started two days ago, he could not attend the burial,” the minister said.
Pastor Justus Mugambi of the Christ Is The Answer Ministries ( CITAM) described Naomi as a woman of faith who lived authentic Christian life and was an elder in the church who served in various committees including education.
Special Secretary Intergovermental Budget and Economic Affairs, Office of the Deputy President Patrick Omutia said in 2021, when he had chosen divinity as his career, the Lord Bishop of the Katakwa assigned him three months duties. It was a coincidence he did his practicum at Dr Naomi’s family.
In his tribute, the deceased husband Dan Mogoria said, “God only takes the best. Indeed, you were the best to me and the boys.
The thought of never seeing you here on earth again brings tears to my eyes, but the fact of knowing and hearing from you asking me three times,” Release me to go to Heaven”, confirms my joy that we shall meet for those of us who remain steadfast in the faith.
Mogoria told mourners he had no plans of marring a lady from the Teso Community since all his previous girlfriends were non-tesos, but God, the creator of the visible and invisible, gave him Dr Naomi, daughter to Mr Mark Adung’o Osili of the Igoria clan, Chakol North Ward, Teso South Sub County.
” My wife gave me full respect as her dear husband and because of my education. When she undertook her masters in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Nairobi and her doctorate at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, I was the editor of her thesis without PhD.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase said they joined the National Youth Service with Dr. Naomi, after completing their “O” levels. After graduation in 1989, they proceeded to university.
” The NYS made us instil discipline, organized and resilient. The government should bring it back to bring sanity to learning institutions where indiscipline has taken its toll,” the MP noted.
Hon Emaase recalled that when the President granted her five slots and similar slots to her Teso counterpart Hon Arthur Odera in 2017 with instructions that two of nominees must be ladies, she picked Dr Naomi and Dr Lilian Apadeet to sit on the boards of Kenya Forest Service and KEMRI respectively.
The MP told parents to produce more Dr Naomi’s by taking their children to school, noting that most parents had failed in the matrimonial duties of purchasing their children who are pursuing university education with even laptop which is prerequisite.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya lauded Dr Naomi and Dr Beatrice Jakait for brokering a truce between him and Daniel Mogoria in 2022 to have him defend his MP seat and Mogoria, to go for the gubernatorial.
Director Lands in the county government of Kisumu Steve Gome said Governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o honoured Dr Naomi by appointing her member of advisory Committee for the regularisation of land development in Kisumu County.
