Raila welcomes new Luo elders' chair

By Kepher Otieno and Nick Oluoch

Prime Minister Raila Odinga witnessed the installation of Luo Council of Elders chairman, putting to rest a leadership tussle.

Willis Opiyo Otondi becomes the ninth chairman in a decade.

Mr Otondi took over from Ker Riaga Ogalo, whom members threw out over abuse of office allegations.

The Prime Minister told council members to safeguard the community’s culture by offering wise counsel on health and socio-economic issues.

Raila enumerated a couple of issues that the council needs to address to promote development among them HIV and Aids, poverty, illiteracy and cultural values.

“We have today installed a new chairman and there will be no other elections,” said the PM.

Even though Ogalo skipped the ceremony at Sori Guesthouse in Awendo, all elders from all the constituencies in Luo Nyanza endorsed Otondi and promised to support him.

Raila noted that the community’s culture had been eroded and corrupted in the past, and that was why the council was vital.

On corruption, the PM said the war would not be personalised, saying the Government is committed to tackling the vice.

“We will not support anybody who is corrupt,” he said, and dismissed claims he was being sympathetic with those indicted in graft.

“Even those who are facing charges should not be condemned because they are innocent until proven guilty, by institutions of justice,” he said.

Raila said he was only supporting those who were doing their work efficiently and diligently, which should not be misconstrued to mean he abets corruption.