Family members, friends and relatives of the late Internal Security Assistant Minister Joshua Orwa Ojode held a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the demise of the legislator.

During the ceremony held in Ndhiwa town, local residents hailed the late Ojode saying the projects he initiated remained economic pillars of the constituency.

The former Ndhiwa MP is fondly remembered for establishing a sugar factory (Sukari Industry) at Riat village in Kanyikela ward that employs hundreds.

A local resident Vitalis Ochieng noted that the late Ojode remains famous not only in Ndhiwa but entire in Nyanza region due to his efforts to empower youths through education and securing them employment opportunities.

“This earned him a nickname Sirkal because he always had powers to fulfil what he promised,” Ochieng said. His wife Mary Ojode says to date, many people call her telling her that her husband helped them in one way or another.

“They tell me how my late husband helped them secure jobs in government and private sector,” Mrs Ojod says.

She said the residents mention Sukari Industry Ltd as one of the initiatives which have reduced poverty in the constituency.

Residents in Ndhiwa and neighbouring constituencies grow sugarcane as a cash crop due to the proximity of the factory.

Ojode died alongside former Vice-President George Saitoti in a helicopter crash in June 2012 on their way to attend a fundraiser at Nyarongi Catholic Church in Ndhiwa constituency.

“I escaped death because I also wanted to board the same plane but my husband told me to remain behind because they were going to return to Nairobi that evening,” she added.