- The Luo Council of Elders dismissed claims of approving a political king, insisting that no such decision had been made
- Chairman Ker Odungi Randa stressed that unity is important, warning against attempts to divide or talk about society
- The Council raised concerns about development projects being politically interfered with, reducing job opportunities, and vowed to express community interests openly.
The Luo Council of Elders has dismissed claims that it has endorsed any political figure as the king of the community, insisting that no such decision was made in any of its meetings.
Speaking after an exclusive LCE meeting, convened by Chairman Ker Odungi Randa there Poisonous yesterday welcoming prominent Luos who have been elected to join the council, the group said it will no longer allow the interests of the community to be “said” by outside forces.
Ker emphasized that the community has not anointed anyone to take that position.
“We have not endorsed any political leader as the king of the community,” the chairman said firmly.
He clarified that although several prominent leaders attended the meeting, including members of parliament and senior elders, the Council did not discuss any approval.
“Some MPs were there: Caroli Omondi, Oburu, Aduma,” Ker explained.
He insisted that no endorsement was discussed.
“I was there. Oburu was there. Many others were there, Elisha, Aduma, Antonio, even Caroli Omondi. We did not approve anyone. Take it from me. There is no king in the Luo community. We have many people who want to be king, but we have not approved anyone. That is a big mistake.”
“We did not endorse anyone at all. If you hear that from any other side, it is a fabrication, a complete lie. Take it from me as a Ker community leader,” he added.
He further urged leaders and community members to maintain unity and avoid unnecessary divisions.
“For now, I don’t want to hear any conflict within the local community.”
Ker also explained the composition of the Council following the recent change in leadership after the death of Raila Odinga.
“The leader of their party is Oburu, who was recently elected after the death of the former prime minister,” he said.
In a statement seen by Tuko.co.ke, the elders emphasized that they will not allow anyone to talk about them.
While acknowledging that the Luo community may lack financial resources, they stressed that this should never be used as a basis to humiliate or undermine them.
“That we are poor in money, it should not be used to deny rights and humiliate the community,” they continued.
The council noted that the majority of the Luo community is politically compatible with the ODM party.
For this reason, it said it has a responsibility to hear the concerns of the community, especially in the 10-point agenda in the ODM-UDA agreement.
It added that it will continue to participate in the matter and announce its position within the next 60 days.
“The council notes that a large number of Luo people have political ties to the ODM party. Therefore, it has an area to listen to concerns, fears, and concerns, especially in relation to the 10-point agenda of the ODM-UDA agreement. Considering this, for the large number of Luo people in ODM, there must be transparency and honesty in transactions where the political goodwill of the Luo nation is the currency. The council will remain focused on these issues and will explain its position in the next 60 days,” they decided.
Although the elders emphasized that the Council is not a political movement, they emphasized that neutrality does not mean silence.
“It should be known that LCE is not based on politics. Although the Council would not like to be dragged into the political issues of the day, we cannot avoid situations where political decisions affect our economic interests. When the rights and economic interests of the community are violated without punishment, the Council must raise the concerns of the community and provide appropriate leadership,” they said.
The council also warned against politicizing sensitive development projects in the Nyanza region, such as the proposed nuclear power plant in Siaya, dismissing attempts to involve it in political discussions as “cheap public relations when dealing with something as serious as a nuclear plant.”
“For example, the recent secret sale and lease of sugar cane factories in Luo land is tantamount to denying the right to vote not only to present generations but to future generations forever,” they stressed.
The council raised concerns about the proposed nuclear power plant in Rarieda, rejecting attempts to present it as a political gift.
“This project is organized as one of the benefits of the wider government. Such an association, unfortunately, is cheap PR when dealing with something as serious as a nuclear plant. What we have to deal with are legitimate safety issues, including the possibility of exposure to radiation that causes cancer and negative effects on people living near the plant.
At a time when countries like Germany and Japan are decommissioning their nuclear power plants due to safety and health concerns, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The project should proceed based on facts, not for political gain or happiness,” they said.
They emphasized that legitimate safety concerns, including exposure to radiation, must be addressed clearly.
Elders also expressed concern about declining job opportunities and ethnic bias in public employment.
“Competition for jobs, especially in the public sector, is high. It is very sad to see the high density of the few positions available in the army, police, TSC, and PSC,” they added.
The LCE further mandated the technical task force to report to the Council within 30 days on ways of action beyond seminars, workshops, and meetings.
“The Nyanza Professionals and Business Forum will be the focal point of this important part of the LCE agenda,” they added.
The council also instructed Engineer Phillip Okundi to lead a team of local and international scientists to collect more information beyond the scientific analysis they already have, and to issue a report within 60 days.
The Nyanza Professional and Business Forum will also provide more institutional support.
The council revealed plans to strengthen cooperation with other communities and local and foreign Luos, while also building relationships with institutions representing other ethnic groups.
“Peace and prosperity in Kenya is only sustainable when all ethnic groups embrace and promote integration. Our children and grandchildren are already intermarrying across the ethnic divide, and our societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic,” they stressed.
The elders further revealed that before his death, Raila Odinga had expressed concern about the excessive commercialization of Luo funerals.
In response, the Council announced that it will lead a 90-day consultation aimed at protecting families from exploitative and unrealistic financial funeral expectations.
Randa, James Hayaga, Ruodh Goro, Ombuor, and other LCE executive members congratulated the newly elected members of the professional and business community.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
