Africa-Press – Kenya. You cannot be a Ker if the luo community has not chosen you, Azimio leader Raila Odinga has said Raila noted that Ker is an important institution in Luo society that cannot be taken for granted.
He disclosed that the new leadership of the council of elders will be unveiled during the Annual Luo cultural event dubbed “Piny Luo 2023” scheduled for 30th June to 1st July 2023 in Homa Bay County.
He said the cultural event will bring together various stakeholders in the community including elders from different regions where the Luo culture will be preserved.
Raila said during the event, various sports, activities and cultural practices will be showcased including traditional artefacts, food and medicine, among others.
He was speaking in Kisumu Nyahera at the Late former Luo Council of Elders Chairman Ker Willis Otondi’s memorial. The memorial service was attended by various elders across the regions including others from Tanganyika.
Various local leaders also accompanied Raila to pay his last respect. They include DG Mathews Owili, Ugunja Mp Opiyo Wandayi, Kisumu Central Mp Joshua Oron, and Kisumu West Mp Rosa Buyu. Raila further noted that counties within the Lake Region Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay and Migori will all have cultural centres.
He said the elders will play a vital role among others in ensuring that they preserve and teach about the community culture saying that even in schools children must be taught what the community culture entails.
“We must preserve our culture as a people and through these centres we must ensure that we revive this culture,” he said.
His sentiments come even as a splinter group led by Nyandiko Ongadi held a separate meeting Sunday in Homa Bay where they told off Raila over the Luo Council of Elders affair.
The meeting was held at Alaw Rachuonyo Hall to affirm Ongadi as the legitimate chairman brushing off the planned election of a new chair after the death of Ker Otondi.
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