By Anderson Ojwang’
In a fast-emerging and changing political and socio-economic terrain in the Luo community, the Council of Elders has resolved to co-opt nine eminent personalities of the community into the council.
At a meeting held on Thursday, 27th November, chaired by Ker Odungi Randa, the council agreed and approved the co-option of the eminent persons.
The eminent personalities include Prof. George Outa (Chairman, Nyanza Professional and Business Caucus), Prof. Edward Oyugi Akongo, Hon. John Pesa, Hon. Sam Wakiaga, Eng. Phillip Okundi, Amb. Lazarus Amayo, Eng. Eric Opon Nyamunga, Prof. Nyabundi, and Rt. Justice Onyango Otieno.
The move is likely to infuse new life into the council and provide the community with the much-needed apparatus to handle its socio-economic and political issues.
“The Council resolved that, in order to enhance and strengthen its capacity, and to effectively discharge its important mandate, it is necessary and urgent to co-opt the following senior eminent members of the community, who have graciously accepted to serve the community and promote its interests.
May the Almighty God bless the Luo nation, and may God bless Kenya,” read the minutes seen by Western Insight.
The move is likely to take back to the drawing board leaders from the community who had hoped to use the council as a vehicle to be coronated as kingpin.
Already, Cabinet Minister Opiyo Wandayi on Monday met with Odungi Randa in what he said was meant to discuss issues of the community.
Sources also revealed that Wandayi plans to host the council at his home on December 5th with a view to seeking their blessings.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has also declared interest in becoming the community leader and is seeking to run for the presidency in the 2032 general elections.
“I do not want any other seat apart from the presidency in 2032. I have set my eyes on it, and I urge you to support me to take you to Canaan,” he said at a recent function in Nyatike.
Randa said the Extraordinary Council Meeting observed that the community should continue to uphold peace during the time of mourning for former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga.
“May it be known to all the members of the Luo community, both within Kenya and outside in the diaspora, and to all and sundry, that today, the Luo Council of Elders has held an Extraordinary Meeting under the chairmanship of Ker Mzee Odungi Randa, and wishes to state as follows:
The Council conveys its warm greetings of peace and unity to all Nyikwa Ramogi Ajwang’ throughout the world and beseeches the Almighty God to continue to protect you, bless your endeavours, and reward your efforts.
The Council, like other members of the Luo community and the rest of Kenya, remains in a mourning mood following the recent passing of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, and continues to condole with the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family, especially now that the cruel hands of death have again snatched a member of the family, Beryl Achieng’ Odinga. May the Almighty God grant the family the grace and strength to bear the pain of the loss at this moment of grief,” it read in part.
The letter also noted that the community was at a critical moment and that it should show leadership.
“The Council, after deliberations and by consensus, unanimously resolved that at this critical point of reflection for the community, the Luo Council of Elders should fully exercise its mandate and responsibility of promoting and maintaining peace, harmony, and unity among members of our great community and between the Luo community and other Kenyan communities,” it said.
