KELIN pays tribute to Nyakach Elder, Mzee John Odingo Oketch

The KELIN family is deeply saddened by the death of Mzee John Ondingo Oketch, the founding chairman of the Nyakach elders’ development group. Mzee Oketch, who was one of the founding KELIN’s elder champions, passed away on 3 November 2017. He leaves behind a family of nine children, several grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mzee Odingo has been one of KELIN’s elder champions since 2009. He was part of the team that advanced the Traditional Justice System mechanism process as an alternative form of dispute resolution under KELIN’s Cultural Structural Program. During his tenure as an Elder Champion, Mzee Odingo strongly advocated for the protection and promotion of the rights of widows within his community. He mediated and successfully managed to resettle well over 60 cases of widows whose property and land had been re-claimed by in-laws.

As a retired teacher and education officer, Mzee Odingo trained his fellow elders on succession steps as well as, the mediation process. His efforts created a large pool of mediation experts within Nyakach whom we hope will continue with the program.

Mzee Odingo was an invaluable team player and highly respected member of society whose wise counsel in addressing women’s ownership of land and property will be greatly missed.

The late Mzee John Ondingo shares insights on the role played by the Elders in alternative dispute resolution.

For more information contact:

Onyango O. Ondeng | Program Manager, Women Land and Property Rights

Milimani area |Opposite Jalaram Academy

Off Nairobi Rd @ Kisumu Pentecostal Church

P.O Box 7708| 40100 Kisumu – Kenya

Tel: +254-57-2532664: Cell- [Office]: +254-708-342197

Twitter: @KELINkenya

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya ….