The Luo Council of Elders plans to convene a major consultative meeting to discuss the community’s political and development priorities ahead of the 2027 general election.
Council chairman ( Ker ) Odungi Arange Randa said the meeting would bring together religious leaders, politicians and professionals from Nyanza and other parts of the country.
He said the aim was to promote unity and provide a platform for community leaders to discuss political and development issues.
“We are reaching out to retired Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop Otieno Wasonga, Kisumu Catholic Archdiocese Archbishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth and ACK Bondo Diocese Bishop David Godia. We want them to be part of the meeting,” Randa said.
He said the agenda would include community unity, social welfare, regional development and the political direction of the Luo community.
Randa also condemned violence during a recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County, where clashes between rival groups left people dead and others injured.
“It pains us as elders that our people killed one another. Luos are known to fear bloodshed, and it was uncalled for our people to turn against each other because of political differences,” he said.
He urged political leaders and their supporters to resolve differences through dialogue rather than violence.
Randa invoked the legacy of the late former ODM leader Raila Odinga, whom he said he had worked closely with, saying the former opposition leader valued democratic debate.
“Raila used to tell us that we can differ politically or in opinion, but that doesn’t mean that we are enemies,” he said.
Randa also called on political leaders from the Luo community to work together as the country approaches the 2027 election.
He specifically urged Siaya Governor James Orengo to work with other Luo leaders, including ODM leader Oburu Oginga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Treasury Cabinet secretary John Mbadi and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
He said the community’s unity should remain a priority regardless of political differences.
“Orengo should join Dr Oburu Oginga in uniting the Luo community alongside others such as Gladys Wanga, Mbadi and Wandayi,” he said.
Randa said the council would also convene a meeting to discuss the appointment of a new patron following the death of Odinga.
The council began consultations on a successor earlier this year.
The position of patron has traditionally been associated with Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025.
Randa said the council wanted the selection process to contribute to unity within the community.
He also reaffirmed his support for President William Ruto’s administration, saying the political arrangement between Ruto and sections of the Luo leadership should be maintained.
Randa has previously publicly backed Ruto’s bid for a second term in the 2027 election.
The council’s call for unity comes amid political divisions among Luo leaders and a separate dispute over the leadership of the Luo Council of Elders itself.
Randa and Nyandiko Ongadi both claim the position of Ker, with the two factions operating separately.
Earlier, the council called on former President Uhuru Kenyatta to abandon divisive politics and use his position as an elder statesman to promote unity among Kenyans.
The remarks followed claims by Kenyatta that Odinga’s victory had been “stolen” in the 2022 election.
Randa said supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had moved on from the 2022 general election and should now focus on working with the current government.
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