Raila to reconcile Luo Council of Elders

Prime Minister Raila Odinga will meet the Luo Council of Elders on Friday to try and reunite them.

The Standard established that the PM, the council’s patron, had consented to reconcile the elders for the community’s good.

Raila’s intervention comes at a time when two factions are claiming the council’s office. Embattled chairman Ker Riaga Ogallo and Opiyo Otondi have claimed the council’s leadership.

The Standard further learnt that Nyanza MPs had been invited to attend the meeting. Also called are key technocrats from the community.

Problems

　

MPs interviewed, and who did not want to be quoted, said they were keen to resolve the problems affecting the council.

Most expressed worry that if the wrangles persist they would undermine the unity the community has enjoyed for decades.

Trouble started at the council a year ago when a section of the elders accused Ker Ogallo of deviating from his role of cultural custodianship to anointing those seeking elective positions in the community.

A section of the elders argued that their role was not to annoint but to offer guidance and advice to the community on Luo customs and traditions.

The rift widened further when Ogallo left for Libya to represent the council and came back with a bag of goodies, which some elders claimed, he shared with his cronies.

Despite the embattled chairman refuting the claims, elders opposed to him demand change of guard at the council office.

The elders and the community are hoping the Prime Minister’s initiative will bear fruit, and that office bearers will be determined and allowed to take office for the same of unity in the community.