Luo elders have settled on Odungi Randa as the Ker (chairman) of the council to succeed the late Opiyo Otondi.
Randa is a former aide of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Randa was among the three elders who went on a consensus before he emerged as the chosen one.
The other two elders who participated are Adera Osawa(Migori) and James Ayaga (Siaya).
Randa hails from Kisumu county.
Randa becomes the nineth chairman of the Luo council elders since the outfit was initiated. The first Ker was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who resigned after he went to politics in 1957.
Speaking after his installation at Homa Bay High School on Saturday,Randa said his work is to unite the community.
He pledged to be guided by the council rules and regulations.
“I will honor and comply with the rules governing the council. I will not betray Luos as a community,”
Randa will be assisted by Ayaga.
Ayaga said they were guided by the spirits before they settled on Randa.
“I say here that we have not made a mistake by settling on Randa.We don’t even follow regional balance when choosing the chairman but the spirits,” Ayaga said.
He dismissed the splinter group led by Nyandiko Ongadi. He urged elders in Homa Bay to tame Ongadi and stop causing chaos in the council.
ODM leader Raila Odinga who was present at the installation urged Randa to work for the community and not to fear.
Raila said Ogandi group has lost the cultural path of the community.
“There are rules which guide the way election of Ker is done.The other group is not genuine and Randa shouldn’t fear them,” Raila said.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said they will support Randa in his endeavours to unite Luos.
“You have been installed in the open and we’ll support you.Those make noise must be there,”Wanga said.
Other Governors Ochillo Ayacko and James Orengo said they will work with Randa.
Orengo said Randa has defended Luos as a community.
The Siaya governor said they will not be electing people who have not struggled for the community as chairman of elders.
“Randa has never betrayed Luos.He has been in the good books with the Luo leaders,”Orengo said.
Orengo dismissed court orders saying that it should meddle in cultural affairs.
END