By Anderson Ojwang
Behind-the-scenes discussions by the Luo Council of Elders and the political class in Nyanza arrived and agreed to make President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Luo Elders.
According to Ker Mzee Odungi Randa during an interview, the decision to install President Ruto as Luo elder was in line with the Luo and African Culture and practices on defending and appreciating good neighbours and allies.
“ President Ruto has shown overtures to the Luo Community and currently he is facing a battle of his life from his political backyard of Mt Kenya.
So when he came to us when he is in dire need. Do we chase him away or help him? As in the Luo culture and practices, you protect and cushion that person from his adversaries.
If you look at the Luo migration, we protected several communities and kings. This is what we are also doing to President Ruto.
It is also up to President Ruto to fulfil his promises to the Luo community and to guarantee opportunities to the community in his government.
The community has no reason not to support President Ruto if he fulfils what the people have asked of him. The ball is in his court to win over the community and make it his political bloc.” he said.
Randa also revealed that at Jaramogi Oginga Mausoleum, he had a private discussion with President Ruto, President Museveni and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the matters of peace and relationship.
“As Ker, we had a candid discussion with the three leaders and I impressed upon them on the need for peaceful co-existence and good neighborhood.
I told President Ruto that the incessant killings along Sondu must be arrested and the two communities must continue to co-exist peacefully.
We cannot afford to be burying people from both sides every now and again and the President was in agreement and promised to act.
I also pleaded with President Museveni to create enabling fishing environment for Kenyans fishermen in Lake Victoria and to end the act of rampant arrests of the fishermen and destruction of their fishing gears.
I implored upon the two leaders on the importance of peace and that was the symbolic message in the fly whisk, in which all of them agreed to initiate and ensure peace in the region,” he said.
During the Piny Luo festival in Siaya which brought together Luos from East and Central Africa, President Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart were installed as Luo Elders.
During the ceremony, Ruto and Museveni were given spears, shields and fly whisks, and were then adorned in Luo caps of leadership and authority.
President Ruto and his counterpart were also taken to Got Ramogi cultural shrines by the Luo Council of Elders and were accompanied by Raila and other leaders from the region.
Ramogi Hills has always occupied a special place in the history of the Luo. The name Ramogi is not only equated to the hill as a physical feature— it is the name of the forefather of the Luo people.
Ramogi is believed to have settled on the hill when he emigrated from Sudan, hence the name Got-Ramogi (Ramogi’s Hill).
-Situated in East Yimbo on the north-eastern shores of the Lake Victoria basin, Got-Ramogi is a hill of multiple purposes. For the archaeologist, it is a historical site rich in traditional artefacts which tell of a people’s early life.
Another unique site in the forest is Rapogi (sharpening stone) which is said to have belonged to Ramogi and was used to sharpen spears before the community went to war or during hunting expeditions.
President Ruto posted on his X handle formerly Twitter “ Got Ramogi epitomizes the deep spiritual roots and traditions that we share as a region. We will keep preserving such heritage to further our unity and drive economic prosperity in East Africa.
At Got Ramogi, the cradle of the Luo community, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, African Union Commission Chairperson candidate Raila Odinga and a host of Governors, Siaya County.”
Former Nyakach MP Ochieng Daima said the decision by the Luo Council of Elders to install President Ruto as an elder was timely and in line with the Culture of defending allies.
“President Ruto is currently under storm from Mt Kenya leaders led by impeached deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. If he turns to us for support, what stops us from shielding him? We as a community are not at war with him and after all, he has accommodated some of our community members in his broad-based government.
The Luo as a community is a forgiving people who are not driven by revenge. The Luo as a community respect the institution of leadership and support the disadvantaged persons.
That is what the community is known for. I support the council and we look forward to a symbiotic engagement between President Ruto and the Luo community,” he said.
President Ruto has continued with his political charm in Western Kenya while the Murima is nearing an implosion with political leaders in the region ungloving for a bare-knuckle attack.
Earlier before the Piny Luo Festival, Ruto was in Homa Bay for the Governor Gladys Wanga Genowa Football tournament where he was joined by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the event.
President Ruto hosted the New Year dance in Kisii State Lodge where he had the opportunity to share and interact with leaders and residents from the region who attended the party.
President Ruto is currently supporting Raila’s AU chairperson bid and appointed John Mbadi as Treasury and Economic Planning cabinet secretary, Mr. Opiyo Wandayi as the Energy Minister and Mrs. Dorcas Oduor as the Attorney General.
President Ruto has promised various development goodies to Nyanza in the hope of wooing them into his political circle.
