Luo Council of Elders chairperson Willis Otondi dies

Luo Council of Elders chairperson Willis Otondi died in Kisumu on February 17, 2023. [File, Standard]

The Luo Council of Elders chairperson Willis Otondi is dead.

Otondi died aged 98 at the Avenue Hospital in Kisumu on Friday, February 17.

He had been in and out of hospital of late, spending most of his treatment days at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga termed Otondi's death "a great loss for the Luo nation".

"Kenya has lost a distinguished member of the society. [It is] sad for the Luo nation to lose him at this moment. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire community," Odinga said in a statement.

Otondi replaced Riaga Ogallo as the chairperson of the Luo Council of Elders in November 2010.

Ogallo was removed by council members over allegations of abuse of office.