By Nyang’au Araka
A court has directed that former Bonchari MP, Zebedeo Opore be buried on Saturday the 12th.
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Before then, the court directed that Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples be extracted from the late Opore’s remains at Lee Funeral Home on Friday afternoon.
Jared Ombata will represent the plaintiff, while defendants in the matter will be represented by Francis Opore.
Opore’s funeral and burial plans had been thrown into disarray after one Roseangela Nkirote moved to court and sought stoppage orders until she is involved in the plans.
In the legal battle, Nkirote identifies the former legislator as her husband with whom they got two children.
She sued members of Opore’s family: Francis Opore, Vincent Opore, Emily Opore Robin Opore and Stella Opore.
The magistrate’s court sitting in Kisii directed that the burial should take place at the late Opore’s home in Riana Location, Kisii County on Saturday the 12th of November, 2024.
Senior Principal Magistrate (SPM), B. Omwansa made the orders after hearing two applications relating to the matter dated 4th day of November 2024, and 7th day of November 2024.
After collection of the samples, they will be transmitted t Aga Khan Hospital, “for purposes of ascertaining the paternity of the plaintiff’s children…”
Further, the court directed that Nkirita and her two children named in the matter participate in the burial of the deceased, “including but not limited to having them recognized in the programme.”
The Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Suneka was asked to ensure the security of Nkirita and the children during the funeral ceremony.
The court’s directives came as a reprieve after confusion blurred the funeral and burial arrangements for several days.
The magistrate said that in default of the orders, the aggrieved party will be free to move to court immediately.
Opore died on 18th of October and his body has been lying at the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi. He was 78.
While representing Bonchari Constituency, the politician also had a chance to serve as Assistant Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
He was first elected to Parliament in 1997, and lost the seat ten years later to Charles Onyancha.
Opore made a comeback in 2013, albeit shortly after one of his competitors, Oloo Oyioka successfully challenged the results.
The politician studied Economics at the University of Nairobi before he obtained a Masters’ degree in the same area from the United Kingdom in 1982.
