Luo Council of Elders Chairman Willis Otondi dies in hospital

Kisumu County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro confirmed the demise of Mzee Otondi on Friday morning.

Ker Otondi has been in and out of hospital in recent months and was recently hospitalised at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Speaker Oraro said Mzee Otondi passed on at the Avenue hospital where he had been transferred.

Oraro says the Luo community have lost a great man who, despite his age, endeavoured to steer the community in the right direction socially, politically and economically.

On Sunday last week, Azimio leader Raila Odinga and a host of other leaders visited the ailing Otondi at the JOOTRH.

Otondi has been at the helm of the Council since the demise of the then Ker the late Riaga Ogallo.

However, there has been a faction of elders led by Nyandiko Ongadi who also lay claim to the chairmanship of the umbrella body of elders in the Luo community.

Mzee Otondi hails from Nyahera area in Kisumu West sub-county.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has mourned Mzee Otondi as a pillar of community unity, saying he served with decorum and dedication.

"On my own behalf, that of my family, our party and the entire Luo nation, I pass deeply felt condolences to the family of Mr. Otondi and all the other fraternities that he served during his reign as Ker.

"Mzee Otondi was a pillar of unity of the community and served with decorum and dedication. It is sad to lose him at this particular point in the life of community," said Odinga.