Luo Council of Elders have asked for Sh34 million from four counties to fund their activities so as to avoid political interference, which has dragged it from achieving its main mandate.
Council Chairman Mzee Opiyo Otondi told a local publication that they want to make the council financially independent so as to avoid political interference that has apparently curtailed it from achieving its core mandate.
"We have previously been funded by politicians, but we would want to be independent so as to enable us carry out our functions effectively," said Otondi.
"As a vital institution within the community, we want to have our issues well defined. We have had instances of lack of peace caused by boundary disputes with our neighbouring communities and we have to meet with our colleagues from such communities in order to create peace,” Otondi added.
The elders want the money to facilitate their activities, especially peace negotiations along the troubled Kericho-Kisumu and Nandi-Kisumu borders among other obligations.
Luo elders are engaged in negotiations with their Kalenjin counterparts to foster peaceful co-existence between their communities.
According to Otondi, Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay and Migori counties, each will cough up Sh8 million each financial year towards the activities of the council.