Luo elders to use consensus in choosing new chairman

Three elders seeking the leadership of the Luo Council of Elders will meet on Saturday to agree on who would become their chairman.

Elders who were allied to the former chairman and the late Opiyo Otondi came together during the opening of the Luo cultural festival in Homa Bay to elect the successor.

During their meeting at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay town, the elders who hail from four Luo Nyanza counties such as Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu and Siaya settled on three candidates.

They are Adera Osawa (Migori), James Ayaga (Siaya) and Odungi Randa (KIsumu).

One of the elders who attended the meeting and sought anonymity said the candidates will agree to themselves in a closed-door meeting before they unveil the new chairman.

He said the majority of elders supported the consensus method of coming up with the new Ker (chairman) to succeed Otondi.

“We agree to go with a process that will ensure peace and togetherness in the council. The three contestants will agree among themselves before the new chairman is unveiled,” he said.

The seat had attracted eight candidates including Ogada Gor who is the current chairman of elders from Homa Bay.

Gor and others agreed to step down during the meeting. Gor stepped down in favour of Osawa on the grounds that the council chairmanship has never come from Migori.

Oginga Odinga was the first chairman of the council before he resigned in 1957 and entered politics. He was succeeded by Joel Omer (Siaya). Omer was succeeded by Paul Mboya, Koyo Opien, and Riaga Ogallo all from Homa Bay.

The elders have already bought instruments of power to be used for installing their new chairman. They include regalia, fly whisk, spear, traditional stool, and shield among others.

“We’re expecting a white smoke before midday and installing our new ker,” he added.   

ODM leader Raila Odinga is reported to have asked the elders to elect their leader without interference.

Raila reportedly told the elders to ensure they chose a person who will unite them through the council. Raila told the elders to refrain from politics.

“Elders are symbols of peace and unity. They should not mix their roles with politics which fuel disunity,” Raila was quoted as saying.

The council leadership has been marred with wrangles since 2015 after the death of Ogallo as two factions claim chairmanship. A faction led by Nyandiko Ongadi has insisted that he is the bona fide leader of the outfit.

Ongadi and proponents petitioned the court before they got a conservatory order that stopped the cultural festival and any process of coming up with Otondi’s successor.

Governors Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu) and James Orengo (Siaya) are among the people listed as respondents.

Ongadi sued them on the grounds that they are the organizers of the event where some elders are going to elect a new chairman.   BY THE STAR