NASA leader Raila Odinga at a past traditional ceremony [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
The Luo Council of Elders has cautioned NASA presidential aspirant Raila Odinga and his campaign team in Nyanza and the western region to avoid making utterances that could lead to voter apathy.
According to council chairman Opiyo Otondi, the chaos that erupted during Raila's campaign rally in Rarieda were regrettable and threatened spoiling Raila's presidential bid.
Opiyo said violence might discourage other communities supporting Raila from going to vote.
The elder argued that the current emergence of strong independent candidates is a reality and asked Raila and his campaigners to win them over to his camp instead of using strong language against them.
He warned that this is likely to cause voter apathy on August 8, something that will derail Odinga's chances in the closely contested battle.
"Leaders and members of other communities have kindheartedly agreed to support Raila but what happened is unfortunate," he said.
Over six-piece voting, the elder warned that it could scuttle Raila's bid for State House, arguing that though this pattern has been used in the region in the previous elections, it could not work this time round.
"Residents of Luo Nyanza know how they vote. They should be left to freely decide whether to go for the six-piece voting agenda or not," he added.