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Luo Council of Elders: MP Were's death a wakeup call for Nyanza to tone down on political violence
Ker Odungi Randa after he was crowned as the leader of the Luo Council of Elders during Piny Luo extravaganza at Homa Bay High School on July 1,2023.
The Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders Ker Odungi Randa has warned politicians from the Luo Nyanza against using violence to edge out their rivals or critics.
He was worried that the hostility, violent and volatile nature of politics was slowly claiming leaders and supporters alike, leaving a trail of blood, graves and distraught families of victims.
He feels the death of Kasipul MP Charles Ongóndo Were has everything to do with political intolerance and the eagerness by aspirants to ascend to power that makes politicians go to lengths including killing to clinch a seat.
While mourning Mr Were, Mr Randa expressed deep concern about the bloodshed not only within Homa Bay County and Nyanza, but also the growing animosity and attacks between members and supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were speaks at the funeral of former national chairman of Universities Academic Staff Union Muga K'Olale at Agoro Sare Primary School in Rachuonyo South on April 21, 2023.
“I am asking leaders from the Luo community seeking political seats not to shed blood of another in the process. It is sad that an ODM member can take up arms and kill or maim another member or destroy each other’s property. I am sad because the blood of Ongóndo Were is sending a cry from the ground,” said Mr Randa.
To him, this death should be a wake-up call to the community to be peaceful and keep of violent politics.
He asked leaders to embrace their rivals after any contest and work together to better the lives of their constituents.
“A political process just like sports, there must be a winner and a loser but should not give room for enmity. When you lose, embrace your competitor who emerged victorious in elections. Jealousy has never helped anyone,” said Mr Randa.
He described the MP as one who represented his people well in parliament and spearheaded development in his constituency.
Meanwhile, former Ndhiwa MP Agostino Neto also admitted that the violence in Homa Bay was now a major concern, threatening to spiral out of control.
According to him, there has been a wave of political violence that has lingered around Mr Were, both in the offensive and defensive, since his entry into elective politics.
“As a political leader in Homa Bay, how I wish his unfortunate death can be that wake-up call that helps tone down the decibels of political violence across the county and the country at large,” said Mr Neto.
He stated that many people have consequently lost life and limb in Homa Bay County, thanks to this wave of violence, calling for tolerance.