Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

The installation ceremony of the newly crowned Ker of the Luo Council of Elders, Mzee Willis Opiyo Otondi, had brought together the largest number of community’s elders from the major ethnic groups in Western Kenya and beyond.

Ker Opiy, who hails from Kisumo-Nyahera, takes over the mantled of leadership from the ousted controversial former Ker Meshack Riaga Ogal, from Kasipuil-Kabondo in Homa-Bay County.

The colorful ceremony was held at the Kenyatta’s Sports Ground, which is located right in the middle of Kisumu City and witnessed by thousands of enthusiasm crowd.

The gathering attracted several cabinet ministers, who included Gerald Otieno Kajwang’{Immigration}’, James Aggrey Orengo{Lands} Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o {Medical Services, Assistant Ministers MPs, civic leaders and representatives of special interests and ODM stalwarts.

For the first time, a large delegation of elders from the neighboring communities, like the Abagusii, Kurias, Luhyiah, Kalenjin, Pokot, Turkana, Samburus, Maasais and the Kikuyus, were adequately represented at the ceremony.

The elders from the Kalenjin community, who included Mzee Jackson Kibor, Mzee Said Chepkeitany from Eldoret, Mzee Eliud Koech, Mzee Kipsugut Lelei from the Kipsigis Laibons, Lt. Gen. {rtd} John Arap Koech, the retired former deputy CGS and others assured the Prime Minister Raila Odinga of the community unswerving support and backing for his quest for the presidency comes 2012.

Mzee Koech is the patron of the Kipsigis Council of Elders. He told the gathering that Raila Odinga was the most promising leader in this country and as such should be given the chance to have a shot at the presidency comes the year 2012.

Mzee Jackson Kibor, in a brief speech, during a meeting with the Prime Minister in his Rural Opoda Bar Opuk home in Bondo, said the perceived political differences between the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the Eldorey North MP William Ruto, who is the deputy leader of the ODM party, are personal and have got no bearing nor they could tilt the Kalenjin voting pattern in the next general election. He said the ODM members in the Kalenjin region have confidence and faith in Raila Odinga whom they viewed as the most forthright, trusted who is committed to the services of the Kenyan people.

Gen Koech, who appeared of late to have taken over the mantle of ODM political leadership in the entire Kipsigis region, said the community had no problem with Mr Odinga, and would definitely vote for him in bloc comes the year 2012.

Mzee Eliud Koech, the patron of the Kiosigis Council ODM Elders, urged Kenyans to adopt the political slogan of “One Kenya. one people”, as the unifying symbol. .Kipsugut Lelei, an elder from the <Laibon community, who was born in Gwassi during the time when the Kiposigis, Nandi and Tugen Laibons were vanished to the remote Gwassi Hills part of Southern Nyanza by the British Colonualk administration, and who speaks Dho-Luo fluently, said Raila Odinga is the right person to be the next president due to his total commitment to the services of all Kenyans irrespective of their tribes, color, religion and creed.

The Kisumu ceremony was also addressed by the Kuria elder, John Magaywa, who promised that his community will go along with other neighboring communities in voting for Raila Odinga to be the next President of the Republic of Kenya.

The gathering was also addressed by the Abagusii chairperson of Council of Elders, Mzee Kenneth Matundura Araka, who told the Kenyans to ensure that political differences do not deter the PM from winning the 2012 presidential bid.

Also in attendance was Dr. Wangari Gidhinji, who rep[resented the Kiukuyu Council of Elders who told the meeting that his community had Raila Odinga deeply placed in the peoples minds.

Six MPs from the Rift Valley, led by Assistant Minister for Energy Magerer Lang’{Kipkellion}, Dr. Lorna Laboso {Sotik} Musa Sirma {nominated} Beatrice Kones {Bomet and Chepkitony {Elkeyo North} were also in attendance.

Guessing from what transpired in Kisumu and Bondo, the perceived belief that Raila Odinga is no longer the darling of the Kalenjin voters, was brushed aside, judging from pledges made by the community leaders in their brief addresses.The Prime Minister therefore still commands the highest following among the Kalenjin in both the North and South Rift regions. This time the delegates had travelled as far as from Pokot, Turkana and Tugen communities.

Kisumu City was the beehive of activities, which saw most of the hotels in town filled to capacity with the visitors for the ceremony which was held on Monday 27th December 2010.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com