Luo elders tiff could end up in court after Raila 'meddling'

Opposition leader Raila Odinga (centre), Senate Minority Leader James Orengo flanked by a faction of the Luo Council of Elders at his Bondo home in Homa Bay County on April 23, 2018. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The council has split into two factions following the death of chairman Riaga Ogallo.
  • Raila Odinga convened a meeting in Bondo in bid to unite the split council.
  • Mr Nyandiko Ong'adi, leader of the other faction, now threatens to take matter to court.

A faction of the Luo Council of Elders has accused the opposition leader Raila Odinga of meddling in their affairs.

This comes barely three days after Mr Odinga met a section of the elders in an attempt to unite the council that has split into two factions following the death of the former chairman Riaga Ogallo.

The faction led by Mr Nyandiko Ong’adi asked Mr Odinga, the council’s patron, to keep off their affairs and instead focus on politics.

“We respect Raila Odinga as our political leader, but he should desist from interfering with the leadership of the elders’ council,” warned Mr Ong’adi.

Mr Ong’adi said his faction does not recognise a recent meeting convened by Mr Odinga at his Bondo home on Monday.

“Council meetings can either be called at the home of a member of the council or our office at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu County,” said Mr Ong’adi.

ENDORSEMENT

At the Monday meeting, Mr Ondiga endorsed Mr Willis Otondi as the new leader of the council, a move that has infuriated Mr Ong’adi.

“From now henceforth, all Luo elders will work under Mzee Otondi. Mzee Adera Osawa will be the council’s secretary general and Owino Nyadi will be the executive director,” said Mr Odinga.

Speaking on Thursday at his Kendu Bay home in Homa Bay County, Mr Ong’adi threatened to settle the leadership tussle through the courts.

“We believe that we are the genuine members of the council and not the other group led by Mr Otondi,” Mr Ong’adi said, flanked by his vice-chairman Thomas Achando and other Luo elders from Siaya and Homa Bay counties.