MZEE OSELU NYALIK IS MADE KER OF KANO PEOPLE

01/04/2007
GRANTS ARCHIVES AGAJA KUYO BARUPE WECHE DONGRUOK MBAKA NONRO JEXJALUO NGECHE LUO GI GWENG' THUM TEDO LUO KITGI GI TIMBEGI SIGENDNI LUO THUOND WECHE ;	Kisumu.2/1/2007 MZEE OSELU NYALIK IS MADE KER OF KANO PEOPLE By Leo Odera Omolo The former Assistant Minister for Local Government Mzee Leornard Walter Oselu-Nyalik was at the weekend installed to the prestigious title of "KER" of the people of the entire Kano plains The installation ceremony, which attracted close to 300 dignitaries from all over Luo-Nyanza was held at Otieno Oyoo Secondary School in Kadibo Division in Nyando district. The installation came under the auspices of Riwruok Dongruok Kano Manyien (RIDOKAM) under the chairmanship of Mzee Walter Kitoto Adell, who is also the chairman in the umbrella body called Luo Elders Development and Cultural Group (LEDEC) The ceremony was graced by the presence of former P.C for Central province Mr.Peter Raburu and the East African legislative Assembly Member Clerkson Otieno Karan. A large number of Maseno University lectures were also in attendance. They included the LEDEC Coordinator Dr.M.T.O Ayodo, who is a senior lecturer at the Maseno University. Mr.Raburu urged the Luos to work with the government of the day as one way of realizing faster development in the region, saying opposing any project initiated by the government for the sake of it was retrogressive. In an electrifying speech Mzee Adell told the guests that one way of accelerating development at the same time eliminating abject poverty among the people was for the people of the region to work closely with the government. He decried lack of consultation among the elected leaders and the population on the ground on matters concerning development. People should think of starting small businesses enterprises for their own mutual benefits. This is only one way of pushing forward development agenda for the community. In his address the LEDEC Coordinator Dr.T.M.O Ayodo told the audience that over the last five years, there has been a determined move in which he was personally involved, to introduce in as many Luo Communities as possible the concept and operations of Elders Development Groups. He said he has explained in many forums, the prevailing massive and endemic poverty and underdevelopment in Luo Nyanza, which has provoked concern among the local intellectuals and professionals. This has been evidenced in reduced agricultural productivity, diminished employment opportunities, increased below poverty level per capita incomes, declining educational performance, environmental degradation, low level of business participation, erosion of cultural values, high death rates, unfair exploitation of natural resources such as fisheries among others. At the political front Dr.Ayodo said "We have not been favored, with our representatives being marginalized at the national level, resulting in the community being disadvantaged in sharing the national cake". The foregoing, he said requires a serious forum to address on a sustainable basis. He said the institution of Elderhood readily comes to mind as an effective organ capable of spearheading an onslaught. The Elder heads the family, possesses inherited land, protects and nourishes children and the wife and is responsible for taking important decisions concerning the welfare of the family and community. Dr Ayodo went on,"An Elders development Group, therefore is a forum comprising of Elders over fifty years old, coming from families and clans whose concern is articulating the community's development problems and finding solutions to the same. In doing this he added ,the Elders require the involvement of everyone in the community. They need to have mobilized the professionals, youth and women. He emphasized the need that the organizational structure of an Elders Development Group be clearly spelt out, preferably emulating the model started by Nyakach Elders in 1998 with : (1) KER as the ceremonial community leader elected by clans which are headed by (2) Ogai who is elected by Elders from families . (3) An executive office consisting of chairman, secretary and treasurer which is responsible for the running of the group administratively. To actualize the aspirations for which the Elders Development Group is formed Mr.Ayodo said, there should be effective operational organs charged with specific development responsibility such as : professional association, education and culture health, agriculture, environment, youth development and women programme. He said that this structure is being replicated in the various Luo communities which hitherto include Nyakach, Kabondo, kasipul, Rusinga, Ugenya, Yimbo, Alego, Asembo, Kajulu,Karachuonyo,Kisumo and Gem, which were represented at the ceremony of the installation of Mzee Oselu Nyalik as the KER of Kano. In the traditional Luo set, KER is the ultimate leader who personifies the welfare and survival of the community. In such a situation, KER should be accorded the highest respect. Ker is the senior most inhabitants who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership qualities. In him should be manifested bravery, integrity, wisdom, magnumity, self reliance and charisma. Dr.Ayodo said KER is an expression of the hopes of the community and it is the expectations that his presence symbolizes unity and vicarious concerns on its behalf. In electing KER Leonard Walter Oselu Nyalik as the ceremonial leader of RIKODAM, he added, "I do trust the thirteen Ogais from the entire Kano sub-clans considered all these characteristics." The Coordiantor expressed the hope that the installation of Mzee Nyalik would be emulated by all other Luo clans and other Elders Development Group in Luo Nyanza. Dr.Ayodo said the occasion was very important in Luo history because it was the day in which the cultural leader of RIKODAM, an organization which is championing the social and economic development of all the thirteen sub-clans of Kano, each led by an elected Ogai, is being confirmed in his position as KER of Kano. The day therefore marks a significant step in efforts to improve the quality of life for residence of the vast Kano plains. He said he was aware of the efforts started in the 1950s by the founders of RIDOKA as it was known then, to help involve residents in developing Kano plains. "It is also gratifying to learn that the recent revival of this old organization is an eye opener in the direction of Nyakach Elders Development Group, which was founded in 1998 has now sensitizing several Luo communities." Mzee Adell revealed that after electing "KER" in every Luo community, the representatives consisting of leaders from these communities will converge in Kisumu to elect "KER' General who will be the overall "KER of the entire the Luo people in Kenya. Pressed to comment on the existing "Ker" of the moribund Luo Council of Elders who is Mzee Meshak Riaga Ogalo, he only commented that when the time for electing the true 'KER', even Mzee Ogalo will be eligible to come and contest the office provided he is elected by his own community. ENDS Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement. LUOCOME-MEDIA ===================================================== Joluo.com Ka in gi mari moro ma di wandik ka to orni Akelo nyar Kager, jaluo@jaluo.com Daher winjo dwondi in bende, iwinjo?	IDWARO TICH? INJILI GOSPEL GALAMORO : Riwruok mar JOLUO e Piny Ngima, orwaku uduto mondo ubed e kanyakla mar burani. Ornwa nyingi gi nondi kaka obedo. Riwruok e teko joka Nyanam. WENDO MIWA PARO OD PAKRUOK

Kisumu.2/1/2007

MZEE OSELU NYALIK IS MADE KER OF KANO PEOPLE

By Leo Odera Omolo

The former Assistant Minister for Local Government Mzee Leornard Walter
Oselu-Nyalik was at the weekend installed to the prestigious title of "KER" of
the people of the entire Kano plains

The installation ceremony, which attracted close to 300 dignitaries from all
over Luo-Nyanza was held at Otieno Oyoo Secondary School in Kadibo Division in Nyando district.

The installation came under the auspices of Riwruok Dongruok Kano Manyien (RIDOKAM) under the chairmanship of Mzee Walter Kitoto Adell, who is also the chairman in the umbrella body called Luo Elders Development and Cultural Group (LEDEC)

The ceremony was graced by the presence of former P.C for Central province Mr.Peter Raburu and the East African legislative Assembly Member Clerkson Otieno Karan.

A large number of Maseno University lectures were also in attendance. They
included the LEDEC Coordinator Dr.M.T.O Ayodo, who is a senior lecturer at the Maseno University.

Mr.Raburu urged the Luos to work with the government of the day as one way of realizing faster development in the region, saying opposing any project
initiated by the government for the sake of it was retrogressive.

In an electrifying speech Mzee Adell told the guests that one way of accelerating development at the same time eliminating abject poverty among the
people was for the people of the region to work closely with the government.

He decried lack of consultation among the elected leaders and the population
on the ground on matters concerning development. People should think of starting small businesses enterprises for their own mutual benefits. This is only one way of pushing forward development agenda for the community.

In his address the LEDEC Coordinator Dr.T.M.O Ayodo told the audience that over the last five years, there has been a determined move in which he was
personally involved, to introduce in as many Luo Communities as possible the
concept and operations of Elders Development Groups.

He said he has explained in many forums, the prevailing massive and endemic
poverty and underdevelopment in Luo Nyanza, which has provoked concern among the local intellectuals and professionals.

This has been evidenced in reduced agricultural productivity, diminished
employment opportunities, increased below poverty level per capita incomes,
declining educational performance, environmental degradation, low level of
business participation, erosion of cultural values, high death rates, unfair
exploitation of natural resources such as fisheries among others.

At the political front Dr.Ayodo said "We have not been favored, with our
representatives being marginalized at the national level, resulting in the community being disadvantaged in sharing the national cake". The foregoing, he
said requires a serious forum to address on a sustainable basis.

He said the institution of Elderhood readily comes to mind as an effective
organ capable of spearheading an onslaught. The Elder heads the family,
possesses inherited land, protects and nourishes children and the wife and is
responsible for taking important decisions concerning the welfare of the family
and community.

Dr Ayodo went on,"An Elders development Group, therefore is a forum comprising of Elders over fifty years old, coming from families and clans whose concern is articulating the community's development problems and finding solutions to the same. In doing this he added ,the Elders require the involvement of everyone in the community. They need to have mobilized the professionals, youth and women.

He emphasized the need that the organizational structure of an Elders
Development Group be clearly spelt out, preferably   emulating the model started by Nyakach Elders in 1998 with :
(1)        KER as the ceremonial community leader elected by clans which are headed by
(2)        Ogai who is elected by Elders from families .
(3)        An executive office consisting of chairman, secretary and treasurer which is responsible for the running of the group administratively.

To actualize the aspirations for which the Elders Development Group is formed
Mr.Ayodo said, there should be effective operational organs charged with
specific development responsibility such as : professional association,
education and culture health, agriculture, environment, youth development and
women programme.

He said that this structure is being replicated in the various Luo communities
which hitherto include Nyakach, Kabondo, kasipul, Rusinga, Ugenya, Yimbo, Alego, Asembo, Kajulu,Karachuonyo,Kisumo and Gem, which were represented at the ceremony of the installation of Mzee Oselu Nyalik as the KER of Kano.

In the traditional Luo set, KER is the ultimate leader who personifies the
welfare and survival of the community. In such a situation, KER should be
accorded the highest respect.

Ker is the senior most inhabitants who has demonstrated outstanding
achievement and leadership qualities. In him should be manifested bravery,
integrity, wisdom, magnumity, self reliance and charisma.

Dr.Ayodo said KER is an expression of the hopes of the community and it is the expectations that his presence symbolizes unity and vicarious concerns on its behalf. In electing KER Leonard Walter Oselu Nyalik as the ceremonial leader of RIKODAM, he added, "I do trust the thirteen Ogais from the entire Kano sub-clans considered all these characteristics."

The Coordiantor expressed the hope that the installation of Mzee Nyalik would be emulated by all other Luo clans and other Elders Development Group in Luo Nyanza.

Dr.Ayodo said the occasion was very important in Luo history because it was
the day in which the cultural leader of RIKODAM, an organization which is
championing the social and economic development of all the thirteen sub-clans of Kano, each led by an elected Ogai, is being confirmed in his position as KER of Kano. The day therefore marks a significant step in efforts to improve the quality of life for residence of the vast Kano plains. He said he was aware of the efforts started in the 1950s by the founders of RIDOKA as it was known then, to help involve residents in developing Kano plains.

"It is also gratifying to learn that the recent revival of this old organization is an eye opener in the direction of Nyakach Elders Development Group, which was founded in 1998 has now sensitizing several Luo communities."

Mzee Adell revealed that after electing "KER" in every Luo community, the
representatives consisting of leaders from these communities will converge in
Kisumu to elect "KER' General who will be the overall "KER of the entire the Luo people in Kenya.

Pressed to comment on the existing "Ker" of the moribund Luo Council of Elders who is Mzee Meshak Riaga Ogalo, he only commented that when the time for electing the true 'KER', even Mzee Ogalo will be eligible to come and contest the office provided he is elected by his own community.

ENDS
Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement.
LUOCOME-MEDIA