Luo Council of Elders chair calls for calm amid mourning of Raila Odinga

The call comes as the entire Nyanza region remains in deep mourning, with thousands streaming into Opoda Farm

by FAITH MATETE

Nyanza15 October 2025 - 19:17

In Summary

Speaking in Kisumu at Ofafa Memorial Hall, Randa urged mourners, especially the youth, to express their grief peacefully and with respect for the legacy of the late statesman.
“I’m requesting the community and Kenyans at large to mourn Raila with peace particularly our young men. I’m asking our young men to mourn Raila with peace,” he said.

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The Luo Council of Elders Chairperson, Odungi Randa, has called for calm and peaceful mourning among members of the Luo community and Kenyans at large following the death of Azimio leader Raila Amolo Odinga.

Speaking in Kisumu at Ofafa Memorial Hall, Randa urged mourners, especially the youth, to express their grief peacefully and with respect for the legacy of the late statesman.

“I’m requesting the community and Kenyans at large to mourn Raila with peace particularly our young men. I’m asking our young men to mourn Raila with peace,” he said.

Randa noted that plans would be made in due course to allow members of the public to pay their final respects to the veteran politician at his Bondo home.

“When the time comes, we shall request the community and the state to bring Raila to Fafa so that ordinary Kenyans can come here and mourn him,” he added.

The visibly emotional elder described Raila’s passing as a deeply personal loss, recalling their shared experiences during the struggle for democracy.

“I have never shed tears. When Jaramogi died, I did not shed tears. But when Raila died, I shed tears because of the bond between me and him. We were detained together by the bad regime he was in at Kamiti while I was at Manyani. We saw many things,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Randa further appealed to traditional leaders from various Luo sub-clans, including Gem, Alego, Uyoma, and Ugenya to stand together in unity during this difficult time.

“I don’t want to hear anything from you. Let us be together with our people,” he said, closing with a prayer for peace and strength.

The call comes as the entire Nyanza region remains in deep mourning, with thousands streaming into Opoda Farm and Kisumu streets to pay tribute to Raila Odinga, who many described as “the father of the nation.”