President William Ruto and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga have been crowned as Luo community elders.
The two leaders were crowned on Wednesday, December 17, during the 5th Piny Luo Festival held in Migori County.
President Ruto and Oburu were installed as the Luo community elders by the Ker (cultural leader) of the Luo.
During the ceremony, President Ruto and Oburu were given a traditional seat of the ruler, a shield, a spear, a whisk, and a traditional cloth.
In a statement after the short ceremony, Oburu said he is honoured to be crowned a Luo community elder.
The Siaya Senator said he has accepted the responsibility with humility and commitment to serve the people.
“Today marks a great honor as I am officially crowned the Luo Community Leader at Thim Lich Ohinga in Migori County. I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep commitment to serve with integrity, unity, and purpose,” Oburu stated.
On his part, President Ruto committed to supporting the establishment of a culture center at Thimlich Ohinga to preserve history and promote tourism.
“Later, at the Thimlich Ohinga Historic Site, I was honoured to be crowned as a Luo elder alongside ODM Party Leader, Hon Oburu Odinga.
“We committed to supporting the establishment of a proper cultural centre at the Thimlich Ohinga Historic Site to preserve our history, promote tourism, and pass our heritage on to future generations,” Ruto stated.
The Head of State emphasized that preservation of culture is the foundation of unity and that culture brings people together and strengthens community bonds.
Meanwhile, President Ruto signaled the possibility of a future political arrangement between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The President said the ODM party needs to consolidate its internal structures and leadership so that it can engage UDA from a position of strength.
Ruto noted that such preparedness would allow both parties to meet and agree on the future direction of the country’s leadership.
“The ODM Party must get its act together and stand firm; we need a strong ODM so that we can jointly plan the leadership of Kenya. Once you organise and strengthen ODM, I will organise UDA so that we meet at that point and form a government through mutual agreement,” he said.
