President William Ruto’s gift of a brand-new Toyota Prado TX to Luo Council of Elders chairman Ker Odungi Randa has grown from a gesture of generosity into a fresh political storm in Luo Nyanza.
The vehicle was delivered at Ker Randa's home in Boya by a team from the office of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo just days after Mr Randa made a direct appeal to President Ruto for assistance with his movements during the President’s tour of the region.
Recent reports indicate that Mr Randa made the request during a meeting with President Ruto at Homa Bay State Lodge, with the President subsequently fulfilling his promise.
Mr Charles Osako, from Dr Omollo’s office, said the President had honoured his commitment to the Luo Council of Elders, terming the gesture as support for the council’s engagements and activities.
A new vehicle presented to Luo Council of Elders chairperson Ker Odungi Randa, who described it as a gift from President William Ruto. Photo | Courtesy
Photo credit: Courtesy
“The vehicle underscores the government’s recognition of the important role elders and cultural leaders play in preserving our values, traditions and identity,” said Mr Osako.
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, who was present when the request was made, offered a glimpse into the moment the unexpected proposition landed on the President’s table.
The MP said after the last rally in Migori, Dr Omollo asked him to join him at the State Lodge in Homa Bay where he had organised a meeting between the Luo elders and the President.
At the tail end of the meeting, Mr Randa asked the President to help him acquire a car to ease his movements, a request the legislator thought was rather bold.
“In a calm voice, the President told him that he would get a car on Friday. Just like that, this morning PS Omollo’s team delivered the car, a brand-new Toyota Prado. Ker Odungi Randa can now traverse the four counties with ease,” said Mr Odiwuor.
“I appreciate the gift from President Ruto. It will help me in my movement in Nairobi, Mombasa, Uganda and Tanzania and many other areas. May God give him health and strength to lead us,” said Mr Randa.
On the surface, it was a simple goodwill gesture meant to help an over-80-year-old cultural leader move around. But beneath the surface lies a bigger question whether the council, an institution expected to stand above partisan politics, arbitrate disputes and speak with equal authority to all members of the community, is becoming increasingly entangled with State power.
The council itself has been navigating questions of leadership and political influence with competing factions claiming the Ker title in recent months.
Luo Council of Elders chairperson Ker Odungi Randa receives a a brand-new Toyota Prado TX, which he was gifted by President William Ruto.
Photo credit: Courtesy
On social media, opinion was divided over the President’s decision to give Mr Randa a vehicle, particularly because it came in the middle of the Head of State’s charm offensive in Luo Nyanza.
Critics argued that the gift could compromise the council’s neutrality, questioning how the head of a cultural institution that crowns leaders, resolves clan disputes and is expected to reprimand politicians when they stray, could maintain its independence while using a vehicle provided by the President.
“You cannot park a Prado from State House and still claim to be impartial when UDA and ODM are fighting for Nyanza. What happens when the Council is called to mediate, for instance, between James Orengo and his opponents, or between ODM and UDA? Will it speak truth to power while fuelling with power’s fuel?” posed Martin Oria, a resident of Kisumu.
Others, however, argued that supporting elders with State resources was not new, pointing to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his son Raila Odinga as leaders who had facilitated elders in the past.
According to Mr David Dimba Jakobuya, a society that neglects its elderly citizens risks losing touch with its history, values and heritage.
He said Mr Randa was among the few surviving veterans of Kenya’s First and Second Liberation struggles.
Since his car was stolen a few years ago, the Ker of the Luo community has faced transportation challenges that have often hindered his attendance at public functions.
“The gesture of magnanimity extended to this respected elderly leader by President Ruto deserves our sincere appreciation. I also commend Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo for his instrumental role in ensuring that Mzee Odungi Randa received the President’s gift. Honouring our elders is not merely an act of kindness; it is a responsibility to preserve the dignity and memory of our society,” said Mr Dimba.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Daily Nation on phone, Mr Randa challenged those questioning the gift to explain where they were when he was struggling to move around.
Luo Council of Elders chairperson Ker Odungi Randa displays the keys of a brand-new Toyota Prado TX, which he was gifted by President William Ruto.
Photo credit: Courtesy
He also criticised those condemning him, saying many people across the country, including members of the clergy, had received similar gifts from previous presidents. He wondered why his case has attracted such debate.
“I never heard anyone complaining on my behalf when I did not have a car to move around. Now that I was given one, they have something to say. Anyone who has a problem with my gift from President Ruto should ask the State. All other presidents have been giving gifts to people. Why is mine an issue?” he posed.
However, for some social media users, the gift is an indictment of leaders from the Luo community, who they argued should have stepped in rather than asking the President to provide the vehicle.
“Instead of asking this from the President, why wouldn’t Luo MPs contribute to buy him a car instead?” posed Joab Achola.
Luo Council of Elders chairperson Ker Odungi Randa sits inside the brand-new Toyota Prado TX, which he was gifted by President William Ruto.
Photo credit: Courtesy
Others raised questions about the vehicle’s ownership, wondering whether the vehicle belonged to Mr Randa or to the council.
“That car will divide the Luo Council of Elders down the middle. Some will argue the car belongs to the office, while others will argue that it belongs to Odungi Randa,” said Mr Henry Ochieng.
Mr Randa, however, maintained that the vehicle was a personal gift from the President following his request.
In recent weeks, Mr Randa has publicly called on the Luo community to support President Ruto’s re-election bid, arguing that the political path towards the broad-based government was laid by the late Raila Odinga.
