Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka arrived in Nyanza on Thursday with a political entourage befitting a presidential hopeful, but his much-publicised tour suffered an early setback after the region’s most influential cultural gatekeeper, Ker of the Luo Council of Elders, Mr Odungi Randa, declined to receive him.
What was expected to be a symbolic meeting between two communities of Luo and Kamba, complete with the cultural blessings of their elders, instead descended into a war of words, competing explanations and accusations of political interference.
Mr Musyoka touched down at Kisumu International Airport accompanied by Mr Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya, Democratic Party’s Justin Muturi, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, politician Erick Okeyo, Kamba elders and other leaders ahead of their tour of Homa Bay and Migori counties.
But before proceeding to the two counties, the delegation had planned to pay a courtesy call on Mr Randa at his office at Ofafa Memorial Hall. The meeting never materialised.
An equally anticipated engagement with the Archdiocese of Kisumu and the chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, also fell through after it emerged that the clergyman was unavailable.
Addressing journalists at the airport, Mr Musyoka suggested that powerful political interests had moved behind the scenes to frustrate the engagement, accusing unnamed individuals in high places of leaning on the elders to keep their distance.
“We had hoped we would be received by elders led by Ker of the Luo, but they received a call from above warning them not to meet us. It is wrong to interfere with such cultural formations which by their nature should be apolitical,” said Mr Musyoka.
Democratic Party Leader Justine Muturie and his Wiper Patriotic Front counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally in Homa Bay Town on November 6, 2026.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation
Mr Okeyo offered a more detailed account of what he described as last-minute political intervention.
He said arrangements for the meeting had been concluded, with Mr Randa’s office confirming on Wednesday evening that 14 Luo elders had been identified to meet an equal number of Kamba elders, who had also identified 14 representatives.
However, the arrangements reportedly unravelled at around 7pm.
He warned against dragging traditional institutions into the political contest, arguing that elders were custodians of community cohesion rather than instruments of political mobilisation.
He cited a recent meeting between Luo and Kalenjin elders in Nakuru, saying it had proceeded without controversy, while similar engagements with Kamba elders were being planned.
“We want to urge the State not to make elders a tool of political campaigns. The die is already cast,” he said.
An encounter between Mr Musyoka and the Luo elders could easily have been interpreted as an endorsement of his emerging presidential ambitions, potentially complicating the delicate political calculations surrounding the broad-based arrangement between President William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement.
But Mr Randa came out fighting, dismissing the claims and challenging Mr Okeyo to produce evidence of any planned engagement.
Luo Council of Elders chair, Ker Odungi Randa, addresses the media at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu on July 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“I did not receive any formal letter of invitation or information from Kalonzo or his team seeking to meet me. I dare them to table any evidence that there was a planned meeting. If someone's political popularity is dwindling, they should not drag my name into it,” said Mr Randa.
Luo Council of Elders Chairperson Ker Odungi Randa (left) gestures as he speaks alongside council member Jotham Ajiki Ondu during an exclusive interview with Nation at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu on April 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
For Mr Randa, the choice of venue was itself a problem.
He argued that Ofafa Memorial Hall was a cultural shrine of the Luo community, not a convenient political stage for visiting politicians seeking photographs and symbolic endorsements.
He nevertheless maintained that he was willing to meet the Kamba delegation at his home in Boya, Nyando Constituency, but strictly on cultural and non-political terms.
Mr Randa has consistently presented himself as a cultural and community leader rather than a political actor.
Receiving Mr Musyoka at the height of his political mobilisation in Nyanza risked blurring that distinction and placing the council at the centre of a contest it would rather avoid publicly.
Perhaps the most consequential reason lies in the shifting political alignment between Nyanza and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Mr Randa was categorical that Luo elders had resolved to support President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the community was already benefiting from its participation in the broad-based government.
He cited government appointments and development programmes, including affordable housing and infrastructure, as evidence that the political arrangement was delivering dividends.
Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the media before Homabay County Ukombozi Tour.
Photo credit: NMG
“The elders had unanimously resolved to support President Ruto’s re-election. Raila left us in the broad-based government and we are already seeing the fruits going by the government appointments and development such as affordable housing and infrastructure. I ask our people in ODM to work with Ruto to form the next government,” said Mr Randa.
The proposed meeting also ran into the sensitivities of an already established relationship between the Luo and Kalenjin communities.
Mr Randa’s engagements with Kalenjin elders, including their recent meeting in Nakuru, have become part of the wider community diplomacy surrounding the broad-based government.
The relationship carries added political significance given that President Ruto hails from the Kalenjin community.
Against this backdrop, an elaborate meeting with Mr Musyoka and Kamba elders could have upset the delicate balancing act the Luo elders are pursuing.
Mr Randa did not hide his displeasure with Mr Musyoka’s political direction, urging him to join the President’s camp instead of seeking an audience where he was unwelcome.
Mr Musyoka came to Nyanza to test the waters for 2027, but the snub by Mr Randa showed that the waters are murky.
With the late Raila Odinga on the continental stage, the Luo Council of Elders is asserting itself as a political force of its own, and for now, it is not opening its doors to the opposition.
