The Luo Council of elders has condemned rising incidences of politically instigated hooliganism in parts of Nyanza region.
The Council’s Chairman Opiyo Otondi said the rising cases of hooliganism was tainting the image of Luo community, citing the recent incident where supporters of Migori Governor Okoth Obado and those of former Sports Minister Ochillo Ayako clashed at a funeral in Rongo as one of such regrettable incidences.
Speaking to the press, Otondi noted that funerals should not be used as forums where politicians square it out with their opponents and spew out hate speech but should instead be solemn ceremonies to send off the departed.
“A funeral is place where people mourn and console bereaved families hence political leaders must learn to act with decorum during such ceremonies” he said.
The Chairman at the same time cautioned the youths against being misused by politicians to cause violence, saying such politicians should be shunned as they will not bring any meaningful development to the people.
Otondi commended President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga for their calls for political maturity as the country gears up for next year’s general elections.
He said the Council of Elders will soon convene a meeting in Kisumu to deliberate on the conduct of area politicians and expose those who have failed leadership and integrity test so that they could be voted out.
Defunct South Nyanza County Council former Chairman Aketch Chieng told the political aspirants to preach peace and tolerance as they market themselves to the electorate.
“Aspirants should change their tactics on how they want to approach the electorates to vote for them in the upcoming elections,” said Chieng.
He told those aspiring political positions to give the incumbent leaders a humble time to deliver on their development pledges.