Elders John Maji, Nyandiko Ongadi and Owuor Akede speak to the press in Karachuonyo constituency/ Robert Omollo.

Luo elders have accused politicians from Nyanza of meddling in the affairs of the Luo Council of Elders, blaming their alleged interference for more than a decade of leadership wrangles that have split the cultural organisation.

The elders want political leaders from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori counties to keep off the council’s affairs, warning that continued interference threatens efforts to unite its members and the wider Luo community.

The dispute dates back to 2015, following the death of Riaga Omollo, when two factions emerged, each claiming leadership of the council.

One faction is led by Nyandiko Ongadi, who says he is the legitimate chairman and holds the council’s registration certificate. The other is led by Odungi Randa.

Elders Owuor Akede, chairman Nyandiko Ongadi and John Maji in Karachuonyo constituency,Homa Bay County/Robert Omollo

During a meeting convened by Ongadi at Alaw Rachuonyo ground in Karachuonyo Constituency, the elders accused politicians of deepening divisions by influencing the council’s leadership.

“We know political leaders in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori counties who have continued to split elders in the council. But we are telling them to stop meddling with the council’s affairs before we expose them,” Ongadi said.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the elders said some politicians had allegedly used their influence to install leaders of their choice, fuelling disagreements within the council.

Ongadi maintained that he was the bona fide chairman, saying members elected him following the death of Ogallo.

“There shouldn't be any chairman in the Luo Council of Elders besides me. Those political leaders who still install some elders of their choice polarise and split the council,” he said.

Ker Nyandiko Ongadi at Alaw Rachuonyo in Karachuonyo constituency, Homa Bay county/Robert Omollo

He argued that the council could not have two chairmen, insisting that its constitution provides for how its leadership should be elected.

“The Luo Council cannot have two chairmen at the same time. There is a constitution and I have the official certificate through which I am recognised as the chairman of the council,” he added.

Accompanied by Owuor Akede, John Maji and Ogada Fundi-Tosha, Ongadi appealed to Randa and his faction to join his team, saying unity should take precedence over political interests.

He urged the rival faction not to allow itself to be used by politicians, calling on its members to work together to strengthen the council.

“I extend my appeal to Odungi Randa to come so that we work together. We should focus on how we can unite the community,” Ongadi said.

Akede also challenged politicians to respect the boundary between political leadership and cultural affairs, accusing them of allegedly influencing some elders and turning them against Ongadi.

“The Luo Council of Elders is not a political organisation. Let our politicians stick to their lane and stop using elders who are their supporters to polarise the council,” Akede said.

Maji warned elders against aligning themselves with political parties, saying such ties could undermine their ability to mediate disputes within the community.

“It is wrong for our fellow elders to align themselves to a political party. This makes them to get compromised and deny them the ability to address conflicts,” Maji said.

More than 500 elders from Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Nairobi attended the meeting, where they called for unity within the council and the wider Luo community.