Fresh political tension has gripped Luo Nyanza after claims emerged that the Luo Council of Elders had quietly settled on Raila’s successor.
The reports pointed to Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi following a widely publicized visit to his Ugunja home. However, the elders have now moved swiftly to shut down the narrative.
Their response is blunt, unapologetic, and revealing of deeper power struggles unfolding within the Luo political space after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Luo Council of Elders clears the air on Raila’s successor claims
The Luo Council of Elders has flatly denied endorsing any individual to take over political leadership following the passing of Raila Odinga. Council chairman Odungi Randa addressed the matter on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, dismissing circulating reports as misleading and politically motivated.
Randa said the council has not sanctioned any succession process and has not anointed anyone to become Raila’s successor. He stressed that suggestions pointing to CS Opiyo Wandayi were false and dangerously divisive at a time when the community should remain united.
According to Randa, the visit to Wandayi’s home in Ugunja was misinterpreted and deliberately twisted to create a false impression of endorsement. He insisted that the gathering was not exclusive and did not involve any resolutions or declarations on leadership.
“There is no kingpin in the Luo community,” Randa said. “Many people want that title, but we have not endorsed anyone. Claims suggesting otherwise are completely false.”
His remarks underline a key reality. Luo politics remains fluid, contested, and far from settled. Any attempt to crown Raila’s successor through rumor rather than consensus is bound to face resistance.
What really happened at Wandayi’s Ugunja meeting
Randa offered a detailed account of the Ugunja meeting that triggered the controversy. He said several leaders were present, including ODM leader Oburu Odinga, Members of Parliament, and respected community figures like Caroli Omondi.
The council chairman was emphatic that no endorsement took place, either formally or informally. He repeated this denial several times to drive the point home and eliminate room for spin.
“I was there. Dr Oburu was there. Many other leaders were there,” Randa said. “We did not endorse anybody at all. Anyone saying otherwise is fabricating lies.”
The insistence reflects frustration within the elders over politicians who use private or social meetings to manufacture political legitimacy. In this case, the elders appear determined to block Wandayi or any other leader from claiming premature authority in the name of Raila’s successor.
This episode also exposes how fragile the post-Raila transition is. Even routine gatherings are now being weaponized to advance personal ambitions.
Elders warn against division in a delicate moment
Beyond rejecting the endorsement claims, the Luo Council of Elders issued a clear warning to the community. Randa urged Luo leaders and supporters to avoid political bickering and public confrontations.
He reminded the community that the period following Raila Odinga’s death requires restraint, not chaos. According to him, loud succession fights only weaken the community’s bargaining power nationally.
“Take it from me as the ker of the Luo,” Randa said. “I don’t want to hear bickering from the Luo community right now.”
The statement signals the elders’ intent to act as stabilizers rather than power brokers. It also serves as a rebuke to politicians accused of using theatrics and misinformation to position themselves as Raila’s successor.
The council’s position is simple. Leadership must evolve through broad consultation, party structures, and community consensus. Anything else is noise.
Mbadi, Wandayi and the looming contest for Raila’s successor
While the elders insist no successor has been chosen, the political race is clearly taking shape. ODM leader Oburu Odinga remains the recognized political head of the community, a position the council has affirmed.
At the same time, Treasury Cabinet Secretary CPA John Mbadi has openly declared his intention to become the next political leader of the Luo nation. Mbadi has intensified tours across Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori, meeting grassroots leaders and consolidating support.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. During Raila Odinga’s burial, President William Ruto publicly praised Mbadi as a competent and experienced Cabinet Secretary capable of keeping Raila’s political fire burning.
This endorsement has elevated Mbadi’s profile and positioned him as a serious contender for Raila’s successor. In contrast, critics accuse Wandayi of resorting to political theatrics and misleading narratives to gain favor within the community.
The unfolding battle suggests that Raila’s successor will not emerge through shortcuts or staged symbolism. It will be decided through influence, credibility, and the ability to unite a community that remains deeply loyal to Raila’s legacy but wary of opportunists.
For now, the Luo Council of Elders has drawn a clear line. No endorsements. No shortcuts. And no false claims in their name.
