Controversy hits Luo Council of Elders ahead of election to pick new chairman

The impending election of the new Luo Council of Elders chairman has caused sharp divisions among the community leaders.

The election is meant to replace Opiyo Otondi who died in February this year.

Two factions of the elders have emerged. One faction led by Adero Osawa is planning to hold an election in Homa Bay this Saturday to pick a chairman to the Luo Council of Elders. However, another one, led by Mr Nyandiko Ongadi, wants the election cancelled.

Ongadi who addressed journalists at his home in Kendu Bay said the election will polarize the community further and should therefore be called off until a later date.

"I am advising my fellow elders who want to hold the election on Saturday to stop it," Ongadi said.

Both Osawa and Ongadi have laid claim to the position of Luo Council of Elders chairman.

Ongadi insisted that he is the legitimate chairman after his was reportedly elected, in line with the constitution of the council of 2015. He said he then chairman Riaga Ogalo who died in 2015.

"Riaga took over from Koyo Opien after he died. Then I took over from Riaga," Ongadi said.

Ongadi argued that he is the custodian of the Luo Council of Elders registration documents from the Registrar of Societies which he said he obtained after being elected.

"After being elected, I went to the Registrar of Societies and secured registration documents for the Luo Council of Elders. Anyone who wants to see our registration documents can come to me," Ongadi said.

He argued that the imminent election is being used by politicians to cause a rift between Luo elders.

Ongadi accused governors of the four Nyanza counties of meddling in Luo call Council of Elders affairs.

"I urge our political leaders, especially our governors, to stop interfering with affairs of the council," Ongadi said.

He said the division will taint the image of the Luo community. The senior citizen argued that the community has earned respect in the country because of its unity.

"We don't want anything that can erode the respect we have had in this country for many years. This election is against the unity of our community's best interests," Ongadi said.

He added: "My prayer is the unity of elders. Why do they want to conduct an election for a position whose holder is alive? Where are they going to register it? Let us be serious," said Ongadi.

He called on the elders to avoid being used by politicians to cause division in the group.

"Let us avoid the division because this is a cultural organization," Ongadi said.

The council's vice chairman Thomas Achando and the chairman of the group in Kasipul constituency Caleb Ouko said the wrangles should not continue.

"We cannot be fighting every now and again. Let us stop any actions which can exacerbate the leadership disputes," Achando said.

Ouko warned that dividing the council will interfere with community unity.

"Let our political leaders know that dividing Luo elders adversely affect them too," Ouko said.

Earlier, in her address to journalists on the Luo festival known as Piny Luo scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Homa Bay town, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said she has no intention of getting involved in elders' affairs.

"I cannot say anything about an election of elders. I am not elder hence can't speak on their behalf," Wanga said.