Raila blames State for woes facing Luo Council of Elders

When Odungi Randa (c) was coronated as the Luo Council of Elders Chair at Ofafa Hall grounds in Kisumu. [Michael Mute, Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga has moved to restore order in the Luo Council of Elders.

Raila blamed the government for the persistent wrangles in the council and alleged a ploy by Kenya Kwanza to create confusion in the Nyanza bloc for political reasons.

Raila was speaking in Kisumu during the coronation of Mzee Odungi Randa as the (Ker) chairman of the Luo community.

He vowed to ensure that the region remains united.

Randa is a former aide of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and is among the most trusted allies of Raila.

However, his installation comes at a time when his faction of elders is embroiled in a supremacy contest with another faction led by elder Nyandiko Ongadi.

The contest has split the community into two with the group led by Ongadi enjoying the backing of senior government officials from the region while Randa has the backing of Raila.

The Saturday Standard has established that there are fears that the faction led by Ongadi is on the verge of taking over the council's assets, including the historic Ofafa Hall.

The Ongadi-led faction is an ally of Kenya Kwanza and is among the groups President William Ruto is relying on to crack Raila's support in Nyanza.

Yesterday, however, Raila waded into the controversies that have bedeviled the council in recent days.

"Ignore Nyandiko. There are just some people who are using him. When you see him pop up, just know someone is using him. Confront the person and tell him to keep off," Raila said.

He described the coronated chairman as a trustworthy person who worked diligently for his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

"There were many people who worked with Jaramogi but were betrayers. Randa is one of the people who worked with Jaramogi but never betrayed him. I am happy to see Odungi coronated today as the Ker of the Luo."

The ODM leader was accompanied by the governors of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori. Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o revealed how hard it has been for the political class from the region to unite the warring elders.