Preparation to install new chairperson of Luo council of elders on top gears

 

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili who chairs the Coronation Committee of the New Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders Mzee Odungi Randa address the Press in Kisumu today on the preparations about the event that will take place this Friday at Ofafa Memorial Hall-Story and Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

December 20, 2023

 

Preparation to install  new chairperson of Luo council of elders on top gears

 

THE Much awaited coronation of the new Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders will be done this Friday in Kisumu.

 

Preparations are on top gears to install the New Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders Mzee Odungi Randa at Kisumu’s Ambrose Ofafa Memorial Hall along Kisumu- Kakamega Highway.

 

Already plans are in place to receive guests from all walks of life to grace the event that will mark the coronation of the ninth Ker of the Luo Community who was elected in July this year in Homa Bay County.

 

Addressing the press in Kisumu today ahead of the event, Chair Kisumu County Luo Council of elders Kasuku Kalolo said they have plans to install the new Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders and there is a lot of peace ahead of the event.

 

Kalolo says all roads will lead to Ofafa Memorial Hall this Friday to mark this historical event for members of the Luo Community.

 

Kalolo says the event will bring all the members of the Luo Community, adding that there is no any other Chairperson of the Council other than Mzee Odungi Ranga.

 

“We are very much ready to coronate our new Chairperson for the Luo Council of Elders Mzee Odungi Randa and plans are at top gears,” Bishop Kalolo says.

 

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Ochieng Owili who is also the chairperson of the Coronation Committee says all is set to carry out the event in a colorful manner.

 

Owili says they expect other guests outside the country to attend to the Friday’s event.

 

Kisumu Central Member of Parliament Dr Joshua Oron who is also the Vice Chairperson overseeing of the committee in charge of the coronation of the new Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders says all is set for the function at the Ofafa Memorial Hall.

 

The Kisumu Central Member of Parliament says all are welcomed for the event that will take place in his constituency.

 

Oron says there is a lot of peace ahead of the event, adding  that they expect a lot of guests during the ceremony.

 

Christine Akeyo, an Elder and Treasurer for the Luo Council of Elders in Kisumu County says the event means a lot for the people of the Luo Community.

 

Mzee Ajiki Onduu gave the chronological events on the Luo Council of Elders chairpersons beginning from its founder Chair the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1952.

 

Onduu says Odinga was succeeded by Ker Joel Omer upon his entry to the Legislative Council{Legco} in 1957 as a Member Representing Central Nyanza.

 

He adds that Ker Omer was later succeeded by Ker Dr Ouko Oseng, adding that Ker Oseng was succeeded by Ker Paul Mboya Akoko.

 

He further says Ker Akoko was succeeded by  Koyo Pien Kasati  who was later succeeded by Adala Otuko.

 

Elder Onduu says Ker Otuko was succeeded by Ker Riaga Ogallo.

 

During Ker Meshack Riaga Ogallo’s reign, a division emerged in 2009 or 2010 among the elders and Ker Willis Opiyo Otondi led a faction of Luo Elders while Ker Ogallo leading another Faction.

 

When Ker Ogallo died around 2015, Mzee Nyandiko Ongadi purportedly succeeded Ker Ogallo while Ker Willis Opiyo Otondi continued to also be the Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders.

 

Ker Otondi died early this year and in July, Mzee Odungi Randa was elected the Chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders replacing him while Mzee Nyandiko Ongadi continues to lead a section of the Luo Council of elder claiming to be the bonafide chairperson.

 

The move has since made the two factions to face one another in a legal battle.