The Luo Council of Elders will hold elections next month to pick the successor of former chairman Wilis Otondi.
Otondi died on February 17 after a long illness and was buried on March 4, 2023.
The elders led by the patron H.E Raila Odinga accompanied by Kisumu Deputy Governor Matthew Owili and Ugenya MP Opiyo Wandayi met on Thursday at Mama Grace Onyango social hall to deliberate on the election of the new chair, (Ker).
“On June, 10th we will go and pay the final burial rites to the departed in accordance to the tradition after which we will fill the vacant position,” said Odinga.
Raila noted that Ker is an important institution dealing with issues like marriage, death and burial traditions, domestic violence, and general life issues.
“This institution is certainly old and very respected in our society. People get surprised when the media give prominence to pretenders to the throne of the council,” he said.
On June, 10th we will go and pay the final burial rites to the departed in accordance to the tradition after which we will fill the vacant position
Raila Odinga
Wii Pinje
The election which is going to be a general assembly known as ‘Wii Pinje’ will bring together elders from all the Luo Nyanza sub-counties.
More than four candidates have already shown interest in the seat including Mzee Odugi Randa, Mzee Adera Asawa, and Mzee Owino Nyadi.
Ker must be at least 60 years and be well vast with the traditions of the Luo community.
