Odungi Randa has been elected as the new chair of the Luo Council of Elders and he replaces Willis Opiyo Otondi.

The position became vacant when Otondi died last year, and the elections for Randa went on despite a court order that had stopped the exercise.

The High Court in Siaya gave orders to stop the elections until a case filed by Nyandiko Ongadi, the chair of another faction, is heard and determined.

Randa’s ninth chair

Randa hails from Kisumu County and assumes office as the ninth chair of Ker, as the council is locally known. James Anyanga, from Siaya County, will serve as Randa’s deputy. 

The election was conducted at Homa Bay High School on Saturday, July 1, 2023, with participants coming from the Naynza counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori.

Randa takes the office and was also given the instruments that accompany his new office and duties. The instruments are a fly whisk, a hat made of animal skin, and a traditional cap.

Adera Osawa from Migori County and Anyanga were the other contestants, but they were beaten by Randa, who is a former aide to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Others who eyed the chairmanship were Owino Nyadi, who was serving as the council executive director; Adera Osawa, the secretary-general, Owino Ombuor, the outgoing Migori treasurer: Adiambo Lomo, James Ayagab, and John Omolo.

Raila Odinga is identified as the patron of the council, but the dissenting Ongadi faction has voiced its support for the Kenya Kwanza government. The election was witnessed by Azimio’s leader, who urged the new chair not to fear the other faction.

“There are rules that guide the way the election of Ker is done. The other group is not genuine, and Randa shouldn’t fear them,” Raila said, as quoted by a local publication.

Those who attended the event include; James Orengo, the Governor for Siaya, Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga, Ochilo Ayacko of Migori, and Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, who represented Governor Anyang Nyong’o.

“I will honour and comply with the rules governing the council. I will not betray Luos as a community,” Randa promised.

“I say here that we have not made a mistake by settling on Randa. We don’t even follow regional balance when choosing the chairman, but the spirits,” Ayaga said on his part.

Governor Wanga dismissed the splinter group and affirmed that she would support Randa in the discharge of his duties.

“You have been installed in the open, and we’ll support you. Those make noise must be there,” Wanga said.

On his part, Orengo explained why Randa was elected as the new chair.

“Randa has never betrayed Luos. He has been in good books with the Luo leaders,” Orengo said.

The main function of the Council of Elders is to help bring the community together and, at times, make key decisions.

Piny Luo

Randa’s election came a day after the community’s cultural festival was held at Homa Bay Secondary School. The event was attended by Odinga and other dignitaries despite a court order by Justice Daniel Ogembo that barred the occasion.

Piny Luo, as the occasion is commonly known, brought elders, politicians, and other high-ranking figures from the four Nyanza counties in the community together.

The communities from four communities showcased the traditional tools and items that were used in their traditional ways of life.

Those tools included shields, spears, and swords, and the young men were shown how to handle a traditional spear and shield, an act that is referred to as Chuoyo Kuot. These weapons were usually used during wars in the olden days.