The Abasuba community in Homa Bay County has installed Elder Nelson Ochieng Ounga as the new Chairman of the Abasuba Council of Elders, ending a leadership vacuum that lasted more than a year.
Ounga was inaugurated as the community’s cultural leader, known as the Omugambi, during a ceremony held at the council’s offices in Sindo Town, Suba Central Sub-County, over the weekend.
The leadership position had remained vacant following the death of the former Chairman, Thomas Asango, who died while serving last year.
The inauguration brought together elders from areas inhabited by the Suba community, including Suba Central, Suba South, Suba West, and Mbita sub-counties.
Ounga succeeds the late Asango and the late Apollo Okeyo, who previously served as chairmen of the council.
Speaking after his inauguration, Ounga pledged to provide fair and impartial leadership while promoting unity and development among the Abasuba community.
“I thank all the Abasuba elders for giving me this opportunity. It is not because I am better than my predecessors, but I will put my best efforts to serve the community,” Ounga said.
He promised to adopt a consultative approach in running the affairs of the community and respect the democratic rights of its members.
“I will lead the community by respecting their democratic rights to ensure we achieve our objectives as a community,” he said.
With the country heading towards the 2027 General Election, Ounga assured members that the council would remain neutral and allow individuals to exercise their political rights freely.
“Every member of the community has the right to support a political party or candidate of their choice. The council will not coerce its members to support any candidate,” he said.
Ounga said the council would instead focus on promoting peace, unity, and peaceful coexistence among community members during the electioneering period.
Joab Ikawa, Secretary of the Kaksingri Council of Elders, urged the new Omugambi to unite the Abasuba community and provide guidance to members seeking elective positions.
“We have our sons and daughters who are vying for various elective seats. I urge our Omugambi, Elder Ounga, to give the right guidance in a manner that cannot polarize our community,” Ikawa said.
Elder Samuel Angugo called on members of the council to rally behind Ounga and work together to advance the community’s development agenda.
“Let us all be united as elders and champion the development agenda of the Abasuba,” Angugo said.
By Davis Langat
