Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders Odungi Ranga speaks in Kanyadhiang, Karachuonyo constituency/Robert Omollo
The chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, Odungi Randa, is facing criticism over his recent remarks on the direction the community should take in the 2027 General Election.
Randa urged Luos to follow the political direction given by ODM leaders Oburu Oginga and Gladys Wanga.
He went further and threatened to curse members of the community who go against the direction given by the two leaders.
Oginga and Wanga support the re-election of President William Ruto in the 2027 polls and have already begun campaigning for him.
Randa said the community must vote for Ruto in 2027. He made the remarks on Sunday at Kanyadhiang during a thanksgiving ceremony for Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo.
Luo Council of Elders chairman Odungi Ranga speaks during a thanksgiving ceremony for Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo in Kanyadhiang, Karachuonyo constituency/ Robert Omollo
Randa said he was using the authority vested in him by the elders to direct the Luo community on the political path they should follow.
The cultural leader, who spoke in Dholuo, said he would curse those who defied his directive.
“I am giving you a direction that you must follow the path of Oburu Oginga and Gladys Wanga. Should you fail, I will curse you by pointing at you with my small left finger,” Randa said.
Randa claimed that those who had defied him had not ended well. He added that former ODM leader Raila Odinga had already given them the direction to follow through the broad-based government.
“The late Raila Odinga left us there, but if you do the contrary, I will ruin your future. I have spoken as the chairman of the Luo Council of Elders,” he said.
Randa's remarks have, however, been described as unfortunate by some elders, who have asked him to apologise.
Elders Moth Aroko, chairman of the Greater Rachuonyo Elders Forum, Elias Oyamo, coordinator of the Kwabwai Elders, and Alfred Ogawo, secretary of the Ndhiwa Elders Forum for Socio-economic Development, argued that Randa's comments were dictatorial.
Aroko said Randa had lost direction in his role as a cultural leader.
He urged Randa to stop dictating how people should vote.
"Randa shouldn't mix politics with cultural issues. We want to see him uniting members of the community, not perpetuating division," Aroko said.
Ogawo accused Randa of abdicating his role as a cultural leader. He dismissed the remarks, saying such curses cannot affect anyone.
Ogawo said Randa was engaging in politics, which should not be allowed within the council.
“It is wrong for a cultural leader to say that he is going to curse the people he is leading because of political interests. Let him stop forcing the interests of politicians on the people,” Ogawo said.
Oyamo urged Randa to avoid using his position to violate the political rights of the Luo community.
The Kenyan Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to associate with political parties and candidates of their choice.
The elder asked Randa to apologise.
“It is not Randa's duty to tell Luos whom they should vote for in elections. He should desist and ask forgiveness from members of the community,” Oyamo said.
Another elder, Lawrence Airo, urged Randa to stop making divisive remarks.
“Randa should know that Kenya is a multiparty democracy. As a cultural leader, he should preach peace and unity among the Luo community,” Airo said.
