Family, friends mourn ex-MP Dalmas Otieno during requiem mass

Family, friends, and leaders have paid tribute to the late Dalmas Otieno, remembering him as a statesman who dedicated his life to defending the rights of ordinary citizens, promoting peace, and championing key reforms during his tenure in various government ministries.

He was also celebrated for his role in the peace accord that ended the 2007 post-election violence, and for influencing retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to form his own political party after exiting KANU.

To his family, he was the pillar that held them together, a guiding light who led by example. They described him as a man whose integrity and service left a lasting footprint, crediting him with transforming lives both as Rongo MP and as a Cabinet minister.

“In his position as minister, he brought a lot of changes, including the introduction of a medical scheme for civil servants and the Kenya School of Government," said his daughter Lilian Otieno.

Dalmas Otieno’s political journey traces back to the 1970s, when he emerged as a student leader at Makerere University alongside Peter Anyang Nyong’o.

Together, they spearheaded the institution’s first-ever student protest, a historic march to the South African Embassy in Uganda to condemn apartheid.

“That was the first and last Makerere students’ protest ever witnessed, to the British High Commission, and that was the first and the last demonstration," his former classmate said.

In Kenya, Dalmas served three terms as Rongo MP and led key ministries from 1988, starting as Minister for Industry.

He played a crucial role in the formation of the coalition government that followed the 2007 post-election crisis and was later appointed Minister of State for Public Service.

“He was a great friend. When he came to Parliament, he was very steady, very intelligent, and even during Moi’s time, he was the only person Moi could not confront because he was so calm," former MP Fred Gumo noted.

Former CS Moses Kuria added, “In 2013, I was working with Uhuru Kenyatta. Dalmas was the only person who could calm us down and bring unity.”

He will also be remembered as the person who convinced President Uhuru Kenyatta to resign as KANU chairman and form The National Alliance (TNA), which became his political vehicle to the presidency.

“He convinced Uhuru that politics is local and warned that if he wanted to climb the mountain, he needed a local outfit. Uhuru listened and he did," Jubilee Deputy Party Leader David Murathe stated.

A requiem mass for the veteran politician will be held in Rongo on Wednesday, ahead of his final send-off at his home in Kangeso village, Kamagambo, Rongo, in Migori County.

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM party leader Raila Odinga, among other key leaders, have confirmed attendance.