By REUBEN OLITA
October 24, 2026| Leaders attending the burial of 91-year-old Mama Jane Nyangweso Odeke Epus at Amagoro Polytechnic on Saturday were taken aback when Maranatha Church Bishop Pius Idewa banned political speeches during the funeral service.
The directive caught several politicians—including elected leaders and aspirants eyeing various seats in the 2027 General Election—who had assembled to pay their last respects to the deceased.
Master of Ceremonies Robert Otete announced the bishop’s position before ushering in politicians, saying the presiding cleric would not allow political speeches during the burial service.
Among those affected were Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu and Bukhayo North/Walatsi MCA Gardy Jakaa, Senatorial aspirant Obella Opuru Deogratius, Governor aspirant Shadrack Iteba, Teso North MP aspirants Gregory Odeke Epus and Isaac Otiang’a, MCA aspirants Frank Wangula, Edwin Enarach, Ikomol William and Polycarp Ochakakiteng, as well as former MCA Ishmael Orodi.
Moses Onyapidi, a co-bishop at Maranatha Church and son of the deceased, witnessed the proceedings, as did former ACK Katakwa Diocese Bishop Zakayo Epus, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Leaders pivot to development messages
Despite the ban on political speeches, some leaders used their brief moments at the podium to convey condolences and highlight development projects.
Oku Kaunya’s personal assistant said the Huduma Centre Amagoro—being established through collaboration between the MP’s NG-CDF and Malaba Central MCA Ronald Ochalu—would be ready for use before the 2027 elections.
He also said Kakapel Cultural Centre, which he attributed to the county government’s failure to complete, had received a boost following the MP’s intervention to secure an investor, Mombasa Cement. The cultural centre would be handed over to the national government and was expected to be commissioned by President William Ruto on October 31, he said.
The representative also regretted that the county government had not provided water to the cultural centre.
Teso North MP aspirant Gardy Jakaa said he agreed with Bishop Idewa’s decision to keep politics out of the burial service. However, he appealed to the bishop to pray for him as he prepared for the political contest ahead.
Ochalu said he had secured funding for the construction of ECDE classrooms at Ikapolok and Amagoro Comprehensive schools, which he described as the only schools in his ward where he had yet to construct such facilities. He also announced plans to murram the Catholic Church–Amigos, Mawazo–tarmac and Okuleu–Korisai roads.
MCA aspirant Frank Wangula asked Bishop Idewa to pray for leaders, noting that the political journey ahead was long.
Former MCA Ishmael Orodi praised Mama Jane as a hardworking farmer who had demonstrated a positive spirit of determination.
Teso North MP aspirant Gregory Odeke Epus declined to discuss politics, saying the time was not appropriate. However, he reminded mourners that he would be in the race in 2027.
A life of devotion: 61 years as a widow
In his tribute, Bishop Emeritus Zakayo Epus said he had lived with his sister-in-law, Mama Jane, for 72 years. He said she had spent 61 years as a widow following the death of her husband, Aggrey Odeke Epus, in April 1965. The couple had married in 1954.
The deceased’s grandchildren challenged the Iligori clan to show them the grave of their grandfather. Bishop Emeritus Epus assured them that the grave remained intact and promised to take them to its location, which he said was beneath a tree.
Mama Jane’s health declined in her final year. She reportedly enjoyed relatively good health until mid-2025, when she began experiencing memory lapses. In September 2025, she suffered a stroke that affected one side of her body.
She received medical attention at Teso North Sub-County Hospital, Alupe Hospital and later at Phes Clinic in Amagoro, where Dr Benson provided care. Throughout her illness, she remained surrounded by the love and support of her family and close associates.
On the morning of October 6, 2026, Mama Jane peacefully breathed her last while asleep, bringing to an end a long life marked by family devotion, hard work and cherished relationships.