The Luo Council of Elders has pledged to support President William Ruto’s bid for a second and final term in office.
Council chairman Odungi Randa said the community had a responsibility to reciprocate the support Ruto had shown former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, including during his unsuccessful bid to become chairman of the African Union Commission.
Speaking to journalists in Kisumu, Randa said the Luo community had “no option” but to rally behind the president in the next general election.
He said Ruto had stood by Odinga during the 2007 general election and had also supported his bid for the African Union Commission position.
Randa said the president’s development projects in the Nyanza region demonstrated his commitment to the area.
He thanked Ruto for commissioning several projects in the region and said the elders expected communities in Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties to support his re-election bid.
The council also called on the president to address challenges facing the education sector in Nyanza by employing more teachers and improving school infrastructure.
Randa said the ongoing projects in the region, including roads that had stalled for years, would benefit local communities.
He urged the government to revive cotton farming and support other agricultural activities in the region.
He also called for the construction of a fish-processing plant in Kisumu County to boost the fishing industry and the revival of the Kisumu Cotton Mills to encourage cotton production.
Randa raised concerns about rice produced in Kisumu being exported to neighbouring countries and later returning to local markets at higher prices.
He said measures should be put in place to protect local farmers and ensure they benefited fully from their produce.
The elders also urged Kenyans to maintain peace ahead of the next general election.
Randa proposed the establishment of another middle-level college in Kisumu County after the Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT) is converted into a fully-fledged university.
He said retaining a middle-level institution in the area would help preserve the vision of the region’s founding leaders, including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Randa further called for Ofafa Memorial Hall to be converted into a cultural heritage centre where historical artefacts could be preserved.
He said the building had significant cultural and historical value and should be protected for future generations.
The elders also called for continued peace along the borders of Kisumu, Bomet and Kericho counties, saying communities in the area had co-existed peacefully for years.
Mr Randa urged local leaders and residents to maintain dialogue to prevent tensions from escalating.
He also called for increased security in Kisumu following recent incidents in which members of the public were killed or injured.
He urged security agencies to work with community groups to restore calm in the city.
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