Politicians pay tribute to Luo Council of Elders Vice Chairman

Political leaders and elders from Nyanza region yesterday mourned the death of National Council of Elders Vice Chairman Ker Riaga Ogalo.

Mzee Ogalo (pictured), who is also the former chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, died on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.

Kennedy Riaga, one of his sons, said his father died of kidney failure.

“He was being treated for a kidney infection and also had a heart disease. He was first admitted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu before being transferred to Kenyatta Hospital. He has been ailing since November last year,” he said.

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti and his Kisumu counterpart Jack Ranguma paid tribute to the late leader describing his death as a big blow to unity of the region.

Tripoli trip

Ogalo was among the ten Kenyan elders who went to Tripoli in 2010 on invitation of the Libyan government for talks convened by former President Muammar Gaddafi.

“The late Mzee Ogalo was an asset to this region because his wise counsel united our leaders. We will surely miss him,” said Mr Awiti in a press statement sent to newsrooms.

Governor Ranguma on the other hand said Ogalo, who served as chairman of the Luo Council of Elders until 2010, was a true nationalist who brokered harmony between the Luo and other communities in the country.

“He forged unity and alliances with other communities during his tenure at the council of elders. Other than politics, he also stood for development, especially devolution,” said Ranguma.

The exit of Ogalo from the Luo Council of Elders has since plunged the outfit into a leadership row characterised by various factions, weakening the once powerful association.

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga has from time to time been forced to intervene to help end hostility among the elders.

Ogalo had however, fallen out with Raila over his desire for the Luo community to support the government of the day.

ODM Homa Bay Branch Organising Secretary Okinyi Rao described Ogalo as a brave warrior who helped in the fight for multiparty democracy.

“He was like glue which held all the elders and members of the community together,” he said.

Ogalo was ousted and replaced with Mzee Opiyo Otondi at Sony Sugar grounds in 2010, in a ceremony presided over by Raila.

However, he maintained he was the bona fide Ker following successful court orders and was leading a faction of the council of elders up to his death.