The Luo Council of Elders Chairman, Ker Odungi Randa, is facing intense backlash after issuing a controversial directive threatening to curse community members who do not support President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid. A section of regional elders has demanded that Randa either publicly apologize or resign from his position as cultural leader.
Speaking on Sunday during a prayer and thanksgiving service hosted by Homa Bay County Woman Representative Dr. Joyce Osogo in Kanyadhiang, Karachuonyo constituency, Randa instructed community members to align politically with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga and party chairperson Gladys Wanga, who back Ruto’s second-term bid. Addressing the gathering in Dholuo, the cultural head threatened to invoke a cultural curse by pointing his left pinky finger at anyone defying the directive.
The remarks immediately sparked outrage among senior community elders, who accused the Ker of overstepping his mandate and politicizing a neutral cultural office.
Moth Aroko, Vice Chairman of the Greater Rachuonyo Elders Forum, described Randa’s comments as divisive and dangerous. He emphasized that a cultural leader must maintain political neutrality to foster unity across the community.
“Elders, whether an elder of the Luo or elsewhere, should be neutral persons. What Ker Odungi Randa uttered is an unfortunate statement. I kindly request Bwana Odungi Randa to apologize to Kenyans and Luos at large over his unfortunate statement,” Aroko stated, emphasizing that invoking cultural curses is a severe matter that should never be wielded lightly.
Echoing these concerns, Alfred Ogao, Secretary of the Ndhiwa Elders Forum for Socio-economic Development, along with elders Elias Oyamo and Lawrence Airo, accused Randa of abdicating his cultural responsibilities to serve political interests.
Ogao urged community members to disregard the threats, clarifying that Randa possesses no cultural authority to inflict a curse over political differences.
The elders reminded Randa that Article 38 of the Kenyan Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to make independent political choices, calling on the council head to promote peaceful coexistence within a multiparty democracy rather than enforcing political conformity.
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