A showdown is looming in Kisumu between two rival camps that are fighting over the leadership of the troubled Luo Council of Elders (LCE).
Both camps are set to meet at the Ofafa Memorial Hall which serves as the headquarters of the cultural outfit.
The iconic Ofafa Memorial Hall which will play host to the two's lined-up event is situated along Kisumu Kakamega Road.
The cultural center has also been the center of controversy between the Kisumu County Government and a faction of the council of elders led by Ker Nyandiko Ong'adi over alleged land rates arrears worth Sh 86 million.
The matter is now before a Kisumu Court.
On Friday, opposition leader Raila Odinga is expected to witness the coronation of Ker Odungi Randa.
Ker Odungi who has the support of the former prime minister will be coronated as the new chairman of the outfit having succeeded the late Ker Opiyo Otondi who died last year.
The coronation is planned to take place at Ofafa Memorial Hall.
To ensure the venue is ready for the coronation, the Kisumu City manager has been camping at Ofafa for the last two days to supervise the works which included clearing the area.
On Wednesday, Abala said they were in last minute rush to prepare the ground ahead of the Friday event.
Bulldozers moved into the cultural center on Tuesday and flattened some of the buildings that housed various businesses.
A spot check by the Star on Thursday revealed that even the numerous car wash businesses dotting the place had vacated.
On Thursday preparation for the event which will also be graced by top political leaders including Luo Nyanza governors remained on top gear.
Last week Wednesday, Kisumu governor Prof Anyan'g Nyong'o chaired the Central Committee meeting which is organizing the official coronation ceremony.
Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, the outspoken Market Milimani Ward MCA Seth Ochieng Kanga aka Adui Nyang, and other leaders attended last week's meeting.
An invitation for the media to cover the event released on Thursday evening read in part:
"We are pleased to invite you to the Coronation of Mzee Odungi Randa as the 9th LUO KER following his election to the revered position in September this year."
" This ceremony is to be attended by former Prime Minister and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader, Raila Odinga, and several other prominent leaders."
According to the statement, the actual coronation will be preceded by colorful cultural performances and many related exciting activities.
"The coronation of a KER is a significant event for the Luo community, and we would be honored to have your media presence to capture and share this momentous occasion with the public," the statement further read.
The Star has established that the Council is also expecting guests from across Africa and across the world where the Luos have footprints.
But on Tuesday, the faction led by Ker Nyandiko Ongadi, in a press statement said they will be holding their AGM at the same venue.
They cautioned that no other meeting shall take place at Ofafa Memorial Hall tomorrow other than the AGM.
They described as illegitimate, the planned meeting organised by the Odungi's camp.
"We CAUTION that group that there will be no meeting within the precincts of Ofafa Hall on the 22nd of December other than our annual AGM," the statement by Nyandiko's camp read in part.
They said that Ofafa Hall, being a property of the community, is open for use by any person who follows the booking procedure and terms therein.
"It has been so since its construction. However, we take note of an attempted coup by a group of elders hell-bent on serving an individual’s insatiable appetite for abuse of the community polity and Luo community resources," the statement further stated.
Nyandiko's camp called for Sobriety and Respect for the Rule of Law by the local leaders.
"We wish to make a call to conscience by the political class which has in the recent past demonstrated their dislike for law and order by disregarding court orders as well as proceeding to attempt usurpation of powers of the legitimate Luo Council of Elders," the elders said.
"For the avoidance of doubt, there is only one Luo Council of Elders (Registered) in 2006 and which has been there, headed initially by Ker Riaga Ogalo and now Ker Nyandiko Ong’adi," they said in the statement.
" We have a constitution that defines us and we wonder who are these who are claiming to be and who want to even hold an installation of a “new Ker?” How do you inherit a seat whose occupant is still incumbent? Through which law?," the statement further read.
On 14th December, Nyandiko and Secretary General Silas Olala wrote a letter notifying the council's members and the police about their planned AGM.
The letter seen by the Star was received by Kondele OCS on 15th December.
Listed in the Agenda of the AGM include a discussion about the Unity of the Luo nation.
Odungi Randa was born on December 29, 1939 in Kakola village in Kano, Kisumu County.
He did his primary education at Bunde Orongo Primary School before proceeding to Maliera Intermediary School at Gem Kodiaga in Siaya County.
He later went to Kasubi, currently at Makerere University in Uganda, where he discontinued his education due to a lack of school fees.
He returned home to teach at his former school –Bunde Primary School where he shined as an exemplary teacher.
He first met Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga in 1958.
Jaramogi was then a member of the LEGCO. He appointed the young Odungi as his Personal Assistant following recommendations from Friends.
Odungi’s star continued to shine and rose to become Kenya People’s Union Secretary in 1969.
In 1970, after Jaramogi was detained, Odungi Randa joined Eden Company in Kampala, a specialized water supply company to hospitals, he worked there traversing many African Countries and visiting many cities.
Eventually, he rejoined Jaramogi after the opposition politician was released from detention, and continued to serve him as a trusted PA.
He has remained steadfast in opposition politics and advisor to many leaders until he was elected as the 9th Luo Ker at a ceremony held in Homa Bay in September this year.