NAIROBI,Kenya Apr 7-Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga on Easter Monday brought together Luo and Kalenjin councils of elders in a rare joint sitting, signalling a renewed push to ease ethnic tensions and strengthen grassroots cohesion.
The meeting, described by organisers as a “landmark convergence,” leaned on the symbolism of Easter to advance a message of reconciliation, unity and fresh beginnings between the two communities, which have historically played influential roles in Kenya’s political landscape.
Elders from both sides used the forum to emphasise dialogue and cultural diplomacy as critical tools in bridging divides, with the engagement framed not merely as ceremonial, but as part of a broader effort to reinforce national cohesion from the community level.
The gathering also came in the wake of a recent thanksgiving event at Okela Comprehensive School attended by President William Ruto, with organisers linking the two events as part of ongoing efforts to consolidate goodwill and political rapprochement.
While no formal resolutions were announced, the elders underscored their role as custodians of tradition and key actors in conflict mediation, particularly at a time when the country continues to grapple with political and ethnic undercurrents.
Organisers said the engagement reflects growing recognition of the influence of cultural institutions in stabilising communities, noting that sustained dialogue among elders could play a pivotal role in defusing tensions and promoting long-term national unity.
The meeting closed with a renewed appeal for Kenyans to prioritise peaceful coexistence and shared nationhood, positioning grassroots reconciliation as essential to the country’s social and political stability.
