By John Oywa

He came dressed in a simple white suit, was welcomed with a dish of fish, and then honoured with traditional instruments of power and an honorary degree.

He came from a country that has stood with his course and that of Southern Sudan for long.

It was a bundle of honour for the Vice-President of Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also President of Southern Sudan.

Three hours after he landed in Kisumu town aboard a Sudanese airline jet on Saturday evening, Mr Kiir was driven to a secluded beach resort on the shores of Lake Victoria where he was installed as a Luo elder in a pompous ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and a host of Sudanese and Kenya Government officials.

He was handed a three-legged traditional Luo stool known as kom nyaluo, a black flywhisk, a beaded skull cap similar to the one Raila’s father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga wore during the struggle for independence.

Accepted honour

Kiir was also presented with a specially decorated goatskin bag, to symbolise his status as an African leader. A beaming Kiir, his trade mark goatee, sat on the stool, cast glances across the packed lawns and waved the flywhisk to affirm his acceptance of the honour. The Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders Riaga Ogalo and his Secretary Aderwa Osawa then stepped forward to explain the importance of the ceremony.

Addressing President Kiir in dholuo, Riaga said: "We are bestowing you with these honours because you are one of our most respected sons. You are a Luo like us, it is only that you remained in Sudan as we trekked south to Kenya."

He added: "We want to give you instruments of power. Sit on this stool when talking to your elders, use the walking stick when attending political functions and use the flywhisk to broker peace in Southern Sudan."

Hardened soldier

President Kiir, a towering former rebel leader who retains the mean look of a hardened soldier, flashed a broad smile as the elders garlanded him. Then he cleared his booming voice to accept the gifts.

"I am full of joy because I am standing amidst my people. I am excited because I have been put on the throne and made an elder."

He added: "I will keep the traditional instruments of power given to me in my office in Juba. I will particularly use the flywhisk while discussing peace with the North."

President Kiir said he had been longing to visit Kisumu.

"When I arrived, I found myself among my people. The Luos and Southern Sudanese are one people. Actually when people from my country come here, they will easily melt into the crowd without anyone noticing they are aliens," he said.

He said many regions in Southern Sudan had tribes that still maintained the Luo culture.

The following day, President Kiir was driven to the Great Lakes University of Kisumu (Gluk) where he was awarded an honorary degree for his search for peace in Southern Sudan.

He received a doctorate degree of letters from the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dan Kaseje, at a colourful ceremony also attended by Raila.

Our son

Speaking about the honorary degree, the University’s Chancellor, David Wasawo said: "We are excited to welcome our son from Sudan. When we looked for the first person to honour, we asked ourselves, why don’t we give it to our own son?" asked Prof Wasawo.

But Kiir did not leave Kisumu as he found it. He donated $100,000 (Sh7.8m) to the University towards the construction of a hall to be named after his predecessor, John Garang’ de Mabior.

Nyanza PC Paul Olando, Medical Service Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, Kisumu East DC James ole Serian and mayor Sam Okello received them.

His entourage of more than 15 vehicles drove from the airport to Imperial Hotel, in Kisumu town. Most residents presumed the vehicles snaking to the town centre, were escorting PM Raila Odinga. Nyanza PPO Anthony Kibuchi had to chase away enthusiastic residents, ‘who wanted to be addressed by Raila’ at the entrance of the hotel.

"Huyu si Raila. Huyu ni president wa Southern Sudan. Tafadhali endeni nyumbani, acheni apumzike (This is not Raila. It is the President of Southern Sudan. Leave him to rest)," said Kibuchi, as crowds surged toward the hotel.