Luo, Nandi elders hail Uhuru and Raila unity

Opposition chief Raila Odinga flanked by Luo Council of elders chair Opiyo Otondi and James Orengo together with other committee members of the council after a meeting to steer the council on April 23,2018. They agreed that no other faction will be recognized in the region. [Photo: Denish Ochieng/Standard]

Leaders from Nandi and Kisumu counties have hailed working relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The elders now want the two leaders to extend their peace campaigns to other parts of the country.

Luo Council of Elders chair Opiyo Otondi and his Nandi counterpart Benjamin arap Kitur said what mattered in a State was peace.

"The peace Kenyans are enjoying is a result of the political goodwill exhibited between the ruling party and the Opposition," said Mr Otondi.

Mr Kitur maintained that the March 9 handshake saved Kenya from sliding into anarchy.

"We want Kenyans to be united and stop unnecessary scolding of one another. People must learn to tolerate each other," said Kitur.

The elders said there was no reason why Kenyan communities sharing colonial boundaries should fight.

"Why should Luos and Nandis kill each other over natural resources that God gave in abundance?" said Charles Ondere, another elder.

The elders, speaking on the sidelines of a peace building and conflict management retreat in Kisumu, hailed tomorrow's visit to Nyanza by the President as a great step in fostering Kenya's unity.