A section of elders from Nyanza and the Rift Valley regions have thrown their weight behind ODM leader Raila Odinga’s 2017 presidential bid.
According to the Nation, the elders, numbering about 70 hail from 10 counties namely; Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, and Narok.
They made the resolution on Wednesday at a meeting hosted by Luo Council of Elders led by chairman Willis Opiyo Otondi and secretary Owino Nyady in Kisumu.
Kipsigis Council of Elders secretary Edwin Kimetto said elders from his community will urge residents to support Raila in next year's elections.
He added that their decision was influenced by Raila’s “relentless support to protect the Mau water tower and his move to have the controversial Sh38 billion Itare dam project stopped.”
“We have already planned the inaugural rally at Sosiot in Kericho County on January 7, and invited Raila Odinga among other leaders including governors,” he added.
This will be the first of the several rallies they have lined up to seek support for the former Prime Minister.
On his part, Otondi said after the Sosiot rally, the elders will also jointly visit the Itare dam project site on January 16 before filing a case to stop the construction.
“Even though the Kalenjin elders’ initial attempts to have this project stopped seems not to have borne fruits, as a team we hope we shall succeed to stop its implementation,” Otondi said.