Elders appoint new Chairman of the Luo council of elders

Homa Bay Monday July 3 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

Members of the Luo council of elders have settled on Odungi Randa as their new Chairman.

Randa who was at one time an aide to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga now succeeds the late Opiyo Otondi.

Three elders had been proposed for the position before a consensus was arrived at to pick Randa. The other two nominees who participated are Adera Osawa (Migori) and James Ayaga (Siaya).

Randa who hails from Kisumu County becomes the ninth 'Ker' (Chairman) of the Luo council elders. The first Ker was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who resigned to join politics in 1957.

Speaking after his installation at Homa Bay High School at the weekend, Randa pledged that he will unite the community. "I will honor and comply with the rules governing the council. I will not betray Luos as a community," he said.

Ayaga who was appointed to deputize Randa said the selection process was guided by the spirits. "I say here that we have not made a mistake by settling on Randa. We don't even follow regional balance when choosing the Chairman, the spirits have the final say," Ayaga noted.

He dismissed the splinter group led by Nyandiko Ongadi. He urged elders in Homa Bay to shun Ongadi's machinations saying he was hell bent on causing chaos in the council.

ODM leader Raila Odinga who was present during the installation urged Randa to work for the community without fear or favor and dismissed the splinter group led by Ogandi.

"There are rules which guide the appointment of Ker. The other group is not genuine and Randa shouldn't fear them," Odinga said.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said they will support Randa in his endeavour to unite Luos. "You have been installed in the open and we will support you,"Wanga said.

Other Governors who were present Ochillo Ayacko for Migori and James Orengo for Siaya said they will work with Randa.

Orengo reiterated that Randa had a track record of defending Luos as a community.

The Siaya governor said they don't expect people who have not struggled for the community to be the Chairman of elders. "Randa has never betrayed Luos. He has been in the good books with the Luo leaders,"Orengo said.

Orengo dismissed a recent court order pushed by the splinter group which had attempted to stop the process sayinThe g that courts shouldn't meddle with cultural affairs.

Courtesy ; K. N. A