ODM party Leader Raila Odinga's quest for the presidency has been boosted after more than 70 elders from four communities in the former Nyanza and Rift Valley provinces resolved to support him during the 2017 General Election.
The elders from 10 counties made the resolution at a meeting hosted by Luo Council of Elders Chairman Willis Otondi in Kisumu on Thursday.
Mr Otondi told the Daily Nation they will hold rallies in the two regions to drum up support for the former Prime Minister.
“We have already planned the inaugural rally at Sosiot in Kericho County on January 7, and invited Raila Odinga and other leaders including governors,” Otondi was quoted by Daily Nation.
Kipsigis Council of Elders Secretary Edwin Kimetto said his community will support the Cord leader following his efforts to have the controversial Sh38 billion Itare dam project stopped.
"Our decision to back Raila was influenced by his relentless support to the protection of the Mau water tower," said Kimetto.
The Opposition chief has maintained the project will affect 12 rivers in eight counties, including the Mara River as water will be diverted from the Mau Forest.
Otondi said after the Sosiot rally, the elders will jointly visit the Itare dam project on January 16, and thereafter file a case to stop the construction.
The elders who attended the meeting were from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, and Narok counties.