Political Luminaries in Luo Land have been called upon to speak with a united voice on matters of politics so that the region remains relevant in the country’s current political landscape.
The Luo Unity Clarion call is by the Muhoroni Sub County Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, Walter Aluoch, who urged the Luo leaders to stay on the course of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s footsteps in birthing a more united Kenya.
Aluoch advised the youthful leaders from the Luo community to embrace consultation and learning from the doyen leaders who have been there ahead of them and who will steer them in the right political direction
“We therefore beseech our upcoming political leaders who are fast angling for political stardom to first seek mentorship and learn from their political elders who have been in leadership for decades,” advised Aluoch, pointing out that this would enable them to leap over major obstacles in their political quest even as he noted that it’s the solemn wish of the Luo elders to unite the Luo community together with the rest of Kenya.
Mzee Aluoch at the same time wholly condemned the chaos recently witnessed in Kasipul Kabondo in Homa Bay County, saying, “Ours is to broker peace; hence, we cannot ratify what happened in Kasipul Kabondo.”
Mzee Aluoch at the same time differed with Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi’s recent remarks that its time for elderly leaders to pave way for the youthful leaders, even as he implored on the youthful leaders to tread carefully and imbibe the wisdom of the elderly leaders while preparing and getting ready to take over the mantle of leadership in the near future.
“Let the youthful leaders not shun the elders since the wise say that nothing goes wrong where there are elders, but they should stay close and learn from the elders so one day their turn comes,” pointed Aluoch, who further alluded to how a child is not born and they start running but first crawl before learning how to walk; hence, young people should not severe ties with the doyen Luo leaders like Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and governor James Orengo to give them direction before they too fade from the political limelight.
He further criticised the violence that is slowly creeping into the Luo community, including recently where a mother gave birth and dumped her newborn inside a sewerage in Lolwe Estate in Kisumu, although the child was later rescued by good Samaritans.
The elder also implored parents to ensure they give proper care to their children, especially during the ongoing school holidays.
“We want to absolutely denounce that which happened at Lolwe estate, which is contrary to the Luo culture: the dumping of a newborn baby, because traditionally the Luos preserved pregnancies by all means,” asserted Aluoch.
At the same time, he decried how parents today have dithered from their parental obligation of keeping a close tab on their children who are mostly just left loitering in the streets and are given no chores or responsibilities to undertake at home after being at school.
Aluoch said, “Children are not assigned any duties after school and are often left wandering aimlessly in estates, ending up being engaged in wayward behaviours and activities, and they end up being irresponsible people.”
By Milton Onyango
