Raila meets Luo council of Elders to secure support

ODM leader Raila Odinga (centre) and Senate Minority Leader James Orengo (second right) and Luo Council of Elders during a press conference at Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County on April 23, 2018. PHOTO | COURTESY | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The power struggle in the council, saw two elders both claiming the chairmanship
  • The power struggle dates more than five years back when the then late Ker Riaga Ogallo differed with Mr Odinga who supported Mr Otondi.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has met with the Luo Council of elders in an attempt to end the wrangles in the council.

The move could be seen as part of his initiative to have the community, as a unit, support his truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta following the historic “handshake”

“The wrangles were threatening to tear the council and the community apart. The meeting was fruitful and a major milestone; the elders resolved that henceforth, they will  work as a team under the leadership of Ker Mzee Otondi,” said Mr Odinga. 

The  power struggle in the council, saw two elders both claiming the chairmanship. One was led by Mr Opiyo Otondi while the other by Mr Nyandiko Ongadi.

POWER STRUGGLE

The power struggle dates more than five years back when the then late Ker Riaga Ogallo differed with Mr Odinga who supported Mr Otondi.

During the meeting at Mr Odinga’s Apoda Farm in Bondo Sub-county, the elders also elected Mzee Adera Osawa, who was allied to Mr Ongadi, as secretary-general, to unify the two factions. His predecessor, Mr Owino Nyadi, was appointed the council’s executive director.

“There has been a very fruitful discussion, during which the elders also reviewed the role of the council, especially on matters dealing with culture,” said Mr Odinga.

Mr Odinga and Mr Kenyatta last month emerged from a surprise meeting and issued a joint statement vowing to work together, and shook hands for the first time since the repeat elections on October 26, which Mr Odinga boycotted.

INHERITED SEAT

The matter went to court and Mr Ogallo won the case, but still the Otondi-led faction maintained that he was the council chair.

After his death, Mr Ogallo’s supporters, led by Mr Ongadi, continued with the push, maintaining that he had inherited the seat and not Mr Otondi whom he said had imposed himself on the people. The Otondi-led function did not even attend the funeral of the former Ker.

They have also differed over the ownership of Kisumu's Ofafa Memorial Hall that houses their office.

REBELLIOUS

The wrangles brewed animosity with the Ongadi faction remaining rebellious and even attending Jubilee Party functions against the wishes of most leaders and supporters of ODM leader from Nyanza.

This was what Mr Odinga was quelling after the famous handshake with the president that has made him tour the whole region asking the community to back the reconciliation move.