The Luo Council of Elders has moved to consolidate its leadership by co-opting nine eminent personalities, mostly experts, into its structures, a move seen as an attempt to go professional.
The move comes weeks after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was the patron of the Council.
These rare gestures bring together top scholars, diplomats, jurists and senior professionals in a council that has primarily been a preserve of the elderly, guiding the community.
The eminent persons include Prof George Outa, chairman of the Nyanza Professionals and Business Caucus, Prof Edward Oyugi Kong'o, former Migori MP John Pesa, Businessman Sam Wakiaga and former Nyando MP Erick Opon Nyamunga.
Others are Engineer Phillip Okundi, member of the National Cohesion and Integration Commissioner, retired Justice Onyango Otieno, Ambassador Lazarus Amayo and Maseno Vice Chancellor Prof Julius Nyabundi.
The Council, after deliberations and by consensus, unanimously resolved that at this critical point of inflection for the community, they should fully exercise their mandate and responsibility of promoting and maintaining peace, harmony and unity amongst members of the community and between the Luo and the other Kenyan communities.
Members of the Luo Council of Elders gather in Kisumu on October 15, 2025, at Ofafa Hall to mourn the passing of Raila Odinga.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo| Nation Media Group
"In order to enhance its capacity and to effectively discharge its important mandate, it is necessary and urgent to co-opt the following senior members of the community who have graciously accepted to serve and promote the community's interests," said Ker Randa.
The decision was reached on Thursday, 27th November 2025, during an Extra-Ordinary Executive Council meeting held at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu and chaired by Mzee Ker Odungi Randa.
The move is being viewed as an attempt to also avert fallouts within the Council leadership by incorporating experts who have served in various capacities in the country.
"We are looking at a broader growth of the council and the community. It is good for the Ker and the elders to have professionals around. We want to focus on the development of our community and this is why we need these professionals to hold our hands and access places we could not reach alone," said Mr Randa.
Some pundits feel this opens ways for the elders to give the community direction through negotiations with other communities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Mr Randa also stated that they are still in mourning following the passing of Odinga and now his sister, Beryl Odinga.
