The Luo community will know the next chairperson of their council of elders on July 1. The new leader will succeed the late former chair Ker Willis Otondi who died in February 2023.
The new leadership of the council will be unveiled during the annual Luo cultural festival dubbed “Piny Luo 2023” scheduled to take place in Homa Bay County on June 30 to July 1.
The event will be graced by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, who is also the council’s patron. He will be joined by other leaders together with the locals from Homabay, Siaya, Migori, and Kisumu counties.
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr Mathews Owili addressing a press briefing on behalf of Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o on Thursday, said that the convergence of various stakeholders within the Luo community would reignite a spirit of resourcefulness, productivity, and togetherness among the members of the community.
He said this would be achieved during the event by showcasing cultural and traditional artifacts, performing cultural and contemporary arts, folklore and spoken word, food, medicine, sports, and tourism among others.
At the same time, the Deputy Governor told off members of a faction of the Luo Council of Elders led by their chairman Nyandiko Ongadi against meddling in the affairs of installing the new Ker.
“We urge the masqueraders to the throne to stop meddling in the affairs of our community. Election of the Luo Ker is not a preserve of politicians but the elders themselves unveil a new chairperson of the Luo council of elders,” Dr. Owili stated.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Arts and Culture, Beatrice Odongo said that celebrating culture would help the young generation understand themselves and their identity thus helping in redefining the destiny of the Community.
During the 3rd edition of the Piny Luo event, Odongo added, participants drawn from the four Luo Counties will showcase traditional food, boat racing, tug of war, wrestling, football, cultural dance, and contemporary music.
By Robert Ojwang’
