Luo Council of Elders, Ker, 9th Chairman Odungi Randa is facing growing backlash from within the community after threatening to curse members of the Luo community who refuse to follow calls by ODM leaders to support President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
The remarks were made on Sunday, 2nd August, 2026, during a prayer and thanksgiving event organised by Homa Bay County Woman Representative Dr. Joyce Osogo.
Randa threatened to curse community members who went against the call by ODM leader Oburu Oginga and party chairperson Gladys Wanga to back Ruto’s second term.
Vice Chairman of the Greater Rachuonyo Elders Forum, Moth Aroko, said on Tuesday that Randa’s comments were divisive and that the Ker had lost his sense of direction as a cultural leader.
“Elders, whether it is an elder of Luo, should be neutral persons. What Ker Odungi Randa uttered is an unfortunate statement. I’m kindly requesting Bwana Odungi Randa to apologize to Kenyans and Luos at large over his unfortunate statement. He said that if you cannot follow our leaders, you will be cursed,” Aroko said.
He added that invoking curses is a serious matter that should never be made lightly, particularly not by a cultural leader of Randa’s standing.
“As an elder, as per our culture, that is a very strong statement which should not come from an elder who is a Ker who is leading Luo in all aspects of cultural and political life,” he stated.
Secretary of the Ndhiwa Elders Forum for Socio-economic Development Alfred Ogao and Lawrence Airo also accused Randa of abandoning his responsibilities as a cultural leader, urging members of the community to disregard the threats entirely and arguing that Randa does not have the authority to curse anyone for making their own political choices.
A section of Luo elders has now called on Randa to either apologise for his remarks or step down from his position as chairman of the council.
