The Abasuba Council of Elders has nominated elder Ochieng Ounga as its new chairman following the death of former chairman Thomas Asango.
Asango died of an illness in September last year, leaving a leadership vacuum in the council. The chairman of the Abasuba Council of Elders is known as the Omugambi.
Ounga was nominated through consensus during a meeting held on Friday in Sindo Town, Suba Central Sub-County. He had been serving as acting chairman since Asango’s death.
Elders drawn from various areas inhabited by the Abasuba community, including Mfangano, Gwassi, Kaksingri, Rusinga, Gembe and Lambwe, participated in the nomination exercise.
Through resolutions read by the council’s steering committee chairman Mathews Koruro, the elders agreed that Ounga would be formally installed as the substantive chairman on August 28.
“Elders from all regions occupied by the Abasuba community have unanimously agreed that Ounga becomes our substantive chairman. We are now waiting for August 28 to install him to assume his responsibilities in a substantive capacity,” Koruro said.
Koruro said the decision was aimed at completing the council’s leadership structure and enabling elders to effectively discharge their mandate.
He reaffirmed the important role of the council in promoting peace and unity within the community.
“Our work is not politics but to promote peace. The confirmation of Ounga will enhance peace in Suba,” Koruro said.
Ounga thanked the elders for entrusting him with the leadership and pledged to unite the Abasuba community to promote peace and social and economic development.
“I thank the elders for making me Omugambi. I will unite all the people of Suba to enhance our social and economic development,” Ounga said.
He promised to promote consultative leadership and ensure the views of community members are incorporated into the council’s decisions.
“I will incorporate the views of our people to ensure we move together as a community,” he said.
The Abasuba community predominantly occupies Suba South, Suba Central, Suba West and Mbita sub-counties in Homa Bay County.
By Davis Langat
