Tussle brews in the Luo council of elders

Homa Bay, Friday June 23, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

A leadership tussle is brewing in the Luo council of elders as they seek to replace the late Chairman Opiyo Otondi who died in February.

The elders are split as some elders support Ker Nyandiko Ongadi as the council Chairman while others are opposed to having him.

Ongadi and his supporters have vehemently opposed the plan to conduct elections saying he is the bona fide Ker (Chairman) of the Luo council of elders.

“Documents including certificate are available to prove that I am the bona fide Ker (Chairman) of the Luo council of elders. Any attempt to elect a new chairman is illegal and will be resisted,” Ongadi said.

Elders opposed to Ongadi are expected to use the Luo cultural festival scheduled to be held in Homa Bay soon to elect an elder who will replace Otondi.

The cultural festival which was first held in 2016 is expected to be graced by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Host Governor Gladys Wanga and her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga said they are working with governors James Orengo (Siaya), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) to make the festival a success.

Wanga said reviving Piny Luo (Luo land cultural festival) was the epitome of community identity.

The extravaganza will involve prayers, cultural exhibition of traditional artifacts, traditional foods and medicine, sports, tourism among others.

“We have agreed through the event to lead our people in going back to our roots. The socio-cultural event will bring out the authentic Luo,” Wanga said.

Raila will lead the community in the event at a time when the UDA party is making inroads into the region.

The ruling party has intensified membership registration and targets to enlist at least 300,000.

Some legislators from Luo Nyanza have defied Raila and promised to work with President Ruto's administration.

Local UDA party officials have called on the members of the community to join the government through registering with UDA.

It is not yet confirmed if the MPs and other leaders who are not in political good books with Raila will attend the Luo cultural festival.

Governor Wanga said the event was aimed at uniting the Luo community in the wake up of socio-economic and political challenges bedeviling the country.

“The event is expected to help us chart our destiny as a community. Such events have made us who we are as a community,” she said.

Some elders are keen on utilizing the cultural festival to install a new Chairman of the Luo council of elders.

Courtesy ; K. N. A