Luo Council of Elders Inducts Nine New Eminent Leaders

Just days after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, the Luo Council of Elders has moved to consolidate its leadership by co-opting nine eminent personalities into the Council, a rare step that brings together top scholars, diplomats, jurists and senior professionals.

The decision was reached on Thursday, November 27, 2025, during an Extra-Ordinary Executive Council meeting held at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu and chaired by Mzee Ker Odungi Randa.

The Council unanimously resolved that it must now fully exercise its mandate of promoting peace, harmony and unity within the Luo community and between the Luo and other Kenyan communities.

“The Council, after deliberations and by consensus, unanimously resolved that at this critical point of inflection for the community, the Luo Council of Elders should fully exercise its mandate and responsibility of promoting and maintaining peace, harmony and unity amongst members of our great community and between the Luo community and the other Kenyan communities,” their statement reads in part.

In a statement released after the meeting, the elders said that while they are still mourning Raila’s demise and that of his sister Beryl Achieng Odinga, they insisted that the community must remain united.

“We convey our warm greetings of peace and unity to all Nyikwa Ramogi across the world. We pray that God grants the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family strength during this painful moment,” the Council stated.

The nine eminent figures approved by the Council include some of the most accomplished Luo professionals across academia, diplomacy, engineering and the judiciary.

They include businessman Eng. Phillip Okundi, NCIC Commissioner and former MP for Rangwe; Prof. Julius Omondi Nyabundi, Vice-Chancellor of Maseno University and plant scientist; John Pesa, former MP for Migori Constituency; and businessman Sam Wakiaga.

Others are Prof. George Outa, a multidisciplinary scholar and policy expert who also chairs the Nyanza Professional and Business Caucus; Prof. Edward Oyugi Akong’o, one of the scholars detained by the Moi regime during the agitation for multi-party democracy.

The rest are Amb. Lazarus Amayo, a career diplomat, Eng. Eric Opon Nyamunga, community elder, and retired Judge Justice Onyango Otieno.

According to the Council, each of the nine has graciously accepted to serve the community and promote its interests.

“The Council resolved that, in order to enhance and strengthen its capacity, and to effectively discharge its important mandate, it is necessary and urgent to co-opt the following senior eminent members of the community, who have graciously accepted to serve the community and promote its interests,” they added.

Observers view the co-option of the nine eminent persons as an effort to shield the Council from undue political interference while reinforcing its institutional authority among the Luo community, following the death of Raila.

The move may be interpreted by many as a covert attempt meant to protect the Council from manipulation by vested interests.

Ker Randa praised the new leaders, stressing that they have the charisma needed at this crucial moment following Raila’s death.

“Our community is entering a new chapter after the loss of Raila Odinga,” he said. “We must strengthen our institutions, reinforce our unity, and guide our people with wisdom.”

The resolution was signed by Ker Odungi Randa and all members of the council.