The United Luo Elders Forum Coordinator, Pius Okello Njagi, has voiced concerns over diminishing unity within the Luo community, attributing the issue to a lack of cohesion among the Luo Council of Elders, who no longer present a united stance on pressing matters. He also highlighted a breakdown in respect between generations, with youths increasingly challenging traditional elder roles.
Today, we see young people calling themselves ‘presidents’ of the elders. I’ve never heard of any elder calling themselves the ‘president’ of the youths,” Okello remarked.
“This trend must be condemned, as youths are now competing with elders for leadership positions. As the United Luo Elders Forum, we are unbiased and do not follow any politician. I urge the Luo Council of Elders to convene a landmark meeting to address these challenges.”
Echoing these sentiments, Tiberius Otieno underscored the importance of unity within the community, urging elders to guide the youth: “Unity is essential. Only by being united can we move forward. Elders must show the path for the younger generation to follow.”
Forum Chairman, Dalmas Aluodo Hongo, also called on the elders to uphold decorum and avoid dependence on politicians. “Let us pool our resources to support school-going children and focus on building a strong, self-reliant community. Politicians should seek our guidance, not the other way around.”
The elders further condemned rising insecurity in Kisumu, emphasizing that Luo culture traditionally opposes bloodshed and senseless killings. They attributed recent changes in weather patterns to the shedding of innocent blood, which, they said, is culturally taboo.
