Odungi Randa becomes 9th Luo Ker

By Peter Ochieng

Mzee Odungi Randa was on Friday officially installed at the 9th Luo Council of Elders (Ker), during a colourful event held at the Ofafa Memorial Hall grounds, in Kisumu.

He takes over from Willis Opiyo Otondi, who died early this year. He was elected by council elders during the Luo festival in Homabay county, months after Otondi's death.

During his coronation, he was handed a shield, a spear, an egg and a stick, which symbolises that he is now the defender of luos worldwide. His wife was also coronated.

Mzee Randa also recieved a Holy Bible from archbishop Washington Ogonyo Ngede, in what the cleric said was 'conceeding the fact that leadership comes from God.'

Ker Odungi Randa was born on 29th December, 1939 in Kakola village in Kano, Kisumu County.

He did his primary education at Bunde Orongo Primary School, before proceeding to Maliera Intermediary School at Gem Kodiaga in Siaya County.

He later went to Kasubi, currently Makerere University in Uganda, where he discontinued his education due to lack of school fees.

He returned home to teach at his former school, Bunde. He met the first Vice President Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga in 1958.

Jaramogi was then a member of the LEGCO. He appointed the young Odungi as his Personal Assistant (PA), following recommendations from friends.

His star continued to shine and rose to become Kenya People’s Union (KPU) Secretary up to 1969.

In 1970, after Jaramogi was detained, Odungi Randa joined Eden Company in Kampala, a specialized water supply company to hospitals, he worked there traversing many African Countries and visiting many cities.

Eventually, he rejoined Jaramogi after the opposition politician was released from detention, and continued to serve him as a trusted PA.

Randa becomes the 9th custodian of luo cultural affairs.