Luo Council of Elders Chairperson (Ker) Odungi Randa./FILE
Luo Council of Elders Chairperson (Ker) Odungi Randa has urged the Luo community to remain united and continue supporting the broad-based government formed under President William Ruto.
Speaking during the funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Randa said the community must remain steadfast in promoting unity and democracy to honour Raila’s legacy.
“Raila left us in a broad-based government, and that is where we should remain. We are fully supporting President William Ruto and his government,” Randa said.
He praised Raila for making what he described as a wise decision to rally his supporters and the Luo community behind the government.
Randa also challenged Luo men to be more productive and increase their families, saying other communities were expanding faster.
“Luos from Congo and neighbouring countries have been asking what our men are doing with women instead of having more children. Men should do their duty,” he said, drawing laughter from mourners.
"From today, we want children to name after Raila Odinga. His legacy must continue through our children to be born," Randa said.
The elder, who said he was once detained at Kamiti Prison while Raila was held in Manyani Prison in Taita Taveta, eulogised the late opposition leader as a patriot and true democrat who dedicated his life to Kenya’s freedom.
During the ceremony, Kanyamwa Kosewe MCA Nicholas Owaka invoked the spirit of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga through a traditional incantation to calm and honour the spirits of “Jakom.”
Owaka, known for his ceremonial chants, mourned Raila as a mentor, Pan-Africanist, and father of democracy and devolution.
