A sombre mood has engulfed Nyandiwa village in Awelo sub-Location of Siaya County as family, friends and local leaders gathered today to bid farewell to Ben, a cousin and close aide to Siaya Township Ward MCA James Obiero Otare.
The late Ben, who passed away on February 21, 2026, is being laid to rest today on Thursday, March 13, at the Otare family’s ancestral home in Nyandiwa village.
Ben had been serving in the office of the Siaya Township Ward representative, where he worked closely with the MCA in coordinating grassroots engagements and assisting in ward administrative activities. Those who worked alongside him described him as a quiet but dependable figure who played a key behind-the-scenes role in connecting residents with the ward leadership.
Mourners at the burial say his passing had left a significant gap both within the family and in the day-to-day operations supporting the leadership of Siaya Township Ward.
Local leaders and residents have turned up en masse for the burial in Nyandiwa eulogizing the late Ben as a humble and loyal individual whose dedication to service was evident in his daily work at the ward office.
Speaking during the burial ceremony, family members described him as a pillar within the extended Otare family whose commitment to community and family values earned him respect among colleagues and residents alike.
The funeral in Nyandiwa has drawn a cross-section of mourners from across Alego Usonga Constituency and beyond, reflecting the close social and political networks surrounding the Otare family in the region.
As the community lay him to rest, residents call for continued prayers and solidarity with the bereaved family as they navigate the painful loss.
Though he served largely away from the public spotlight, those who knew him said the late Ben will be remembered for his humility, loyalty and quiet contribution to grassroots leadership in Siaya Township Ward.
