High Court Halts Piny Luo Event Amid Ruto-Raila Battlefront Escalation
A Siaya High Court has halted the much-publicized cultural event dubbed “Piny Luo.” That was scheduled to take place in Homa Bay County from 30 June to 4 July.
Nine petitioners applied with Justice Daniel Ogembo under a certificate of urgency: Nyandiko Ongadi, Thomas Achando, Silas Olala, Okeyo Abebe, Oduogo Gwena, Margaret Nyambok, Felix Okal, Pius Odete, and Stephene Oluodhe.
The first and second respondents are Siaya Governor James Orengo and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang Nyong’o. Followed by Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Ochilo Ayako.
The petition also included the County governments of Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori as respondents five, six, seven, and eight, respectively.
Raila Odinga, leader of the ODM, will attend the event.
It is also intended to provide a stage for the unveiling of the new Ker Luo. Months after the death of the previous Ker Opiyo Otondi.
The community’s cultural leader is considered to be Ker Luo. “Upon the perusal and consideration of the said application, Notice of motion, affidavit in support, and annextures thereto; it is hereby ordered that the application be certified as urgent,” read the court order signed by Siaya Hogh Court Judge Daniel Ogembo.
It added, “The interim conservatory order is hereby issued prohibiting the respondents, their agents, and servants, from issuing and/or taking any instructions, plans, actions and/or activities arising and/or based on the decisions and announcements by the first, second, third and fourth respondents to hold a meeting that they describe as an annual cultural event dubbed “Piny Luo 2023,” which they scheduled for June 30 to July 4, or at any other time in Homa Bay C.”
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Until the inter parties hearings and determination of the application. The order prohibits the respondents from naming the new Ker Luo.
The scheduled hearing date is July 4. Since the passing of former Ker Riaga Ogalo. Two factions of the Luo Council of Elders have claimed to be legitimate elders.
Since declaring his support for President William Ruto. The leader of the first faction is Nyandiko Ongadi, who claims to be the rightful elder after the passing of Ker Riaga.
The other faction with Mr. Odinga’s support had the late Otondi; they must now name his successor.
Mr. Ongadi challenged elders who oppose his leadership to call a meeting of all Luo elders. And oust him if he is deemed unfit to lead his community earlier today.
Mr. Ongadi insisted that he is the legitimate leader of the group. And stated that he will only resign if the community loses faith in him.
He vehemently opposed plans to appoint a new chairman who will oversee a parallel office of the Luo Council of Elders. “If they proceed and choose a chairman while I am still in office, I will view him as a leader of the opposition to my “government,” said the senior.
Eight individuals have presented themselves as viable candidates for the position.
Mr. Odinga is central to this weekend’s election of a new chairman, which will take place in Homa Bay.
Mr. Ongadi opposed the process, arguing that it should not occur because he is still in office and the organization’s leader.
He stated that he is prepared to resolve internal disputes among elders by engaging in dialogue with his detractors.
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His group viewed negotiations with the opposing faction as a means to resolve their differences. Mr. Ongadi stated that the elders who support him are willing to discuss a resolution to the dispute with their opponents.
He, therefore, urged them to postpone the election until the issue was resolved.
During the negotiations, both teams will defend their respective candidates for council leadership.
“I am ready to defend myself. Mr. Ongadi stated, “As I have the group’s registration documents, I am the recognized leader of the group.”
“Other communities will perceive us as combatants. Mr. Ongadi stated, “We have a history of fighting the government, but now the conflict is internal.”
His deputy, Thomas Achiando, stated that no election should be held because the country’s constitution prohibits holding elections while someone is in office.
“According to the rules of the council, Nyandiko is the group’s leader. “I have the meeting minutes from when he was elected and the elders unanimously agreed that he is their leader,” he said.
High Court Halts Piny Luo Event Amid Ruto-Raila Battlefront Escalation
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