Raila Odinga attends Luo Festival despite Court Order

Azimio leader Raila Odinga with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during the opening of the newly constructed Raila Odinga Homa Bay Stadium on June 30, 2023 [James Omoro, Standard]

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga was among the dignitaries who graced a cultural extravaganza of the Luo community held on Friday, June 30.

The festival was held despite a court order issued by Justice Daniel Ogembo of Siaya High Court prohibiting organizers from holding it.

The first day of the extravaganza known as Piny Luo was held at Homa Bay High School on Friday.

The event brought together elders and political leaders from the four counties occupied by the Luo community namely Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu and Siaya.

Each of the four counties presented traditional items which were used by the Luo community during the olden days.

The weapons included shields and spears which were used by the community during the colonial days.

Young men were shown how to handle a traditional shield and spear, an act locally referred to as chuoyo kuot alongside other weapons used during wars.

Traditional food such as magira (a special porridge made of peanut), poridge, ugali which were made of sorghum which was considered a traditional food crop by the community was also shown.

Soon after welcome remarks by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, elders took over the function in which they educated the community on cultural values.

One of the issues which took centre stage in the discussion by the elders was the unity of the community.

This results from a silent rift that sometimes emerges in which people from Siaya and Kisumu counties refer to their counterparts from Homa Bay and Migori counties as jo loka (people from the other side) and vice versa, a reference which implies regional disintegration.

Senior citizen Adera Osawa who is the Secretary General of the Luo Council of Elders urged the community to be united.

Osawa said the unity should begin from the family to the community level.

He argued that unity can enhance the chances of the community to succeed in championing the agenda of the community both socially, politically and economically.

"I have served in the Luo Council of Elders for many decades. What stands out for me is that we should be united as a community. This will enhance the success of our various agenda in this country," Osawa said.

The decline in the number of professors and educated members of the Luo community was also cited as a concern.

The senior citizen urged the community to unite according to their children's education.

"It is true that the number of Luo children who acquire higher education has declined. What worsens the matter is that the cost of education continues to escalate. Let us be united to mobilize resources for educating our children," Osawa added.

Another senior citizen, Dr Humphrey Ojwang urged the community to focus on food security which is an issue bedevilling the nation today.

He argued that traditionally, the Luo community used to enhance food security by marrying many wives who used to participate actively in food production.

"I urge our community to be hard working people in food production. This will improve wellbeing of our people," said Ojwang.

However, Odinga had not delivered a speech by the time we went to press.

The event was also attended by Governor James Orengo (Siaya) and Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), and more than 20 MPs.