Luo Insights: The Luo Community at a Political Crossroads by Kipkalya Kones known as @CollinceBey on X

Kones Says:

There are at least 24 million Luo people spread out across Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Congo DRC, Uganda and parts of Chad. The cumulative number makes it one of the largest ethnic conglomerates in Africa. Their name is derived from the word LUWO, which means “to follow”. Among the more famous Luo tribes are the Acholi, the Alur, Jo Padhola, Jonam, Lang’o, Anyuak, Pari and the Shilluk and the “Luo of Kenya”. I put the latter in quotes because as far as tribal migrations and settlements go, “Luo of Kenya” is a misnomer, and shouldn’t actually be a definition.

The colonial map moving “Luos of Kenya” to Kenya only happened in 1902, otherwise they would still be within the same borders as their many brothers in Uganda. Incredibly, when the “Luos of Kenya” migrated to the Nam Lolwe Basin, their current homeland, they moved in three waves of Acholi, Alur and Padhola, but united to use the common tribe name “Luo”, making them perhaps the most influential and most well known of all Luo tribes, and the only ones known just by the collective tribal identity. Among the most famous sons of the Luwo are Raila Odinga, Barack Obama (both Luo Kenya), Dr Milton Obote (Lang’o), Taban Lo Liyong’, Okot Bitek, Joseph Kony (all Acholi) and Dr Lam Akol (Shilluk).

As far as their DhoLuo language is concerned, the DhoLuo of Kenya and the DhoPadhola of Uganda are almost entirely the same. Among the others, there are slight similarities, but they largely understand each other. These past few days, the Luwo and their representatives gathered at the foot of Got Ramogi in Siaya County, for the Piny Luo Festival, a prestigious cultural extravaganza that brings together all Luwo tribes in Africa.

The chief guests were President Museveni of Uganda, whose country hosts at least nine of the Luwo tribes, and President Ruto of Kenya, home to the most enlightened and politically conscious of all Luos. Museveni said something very interesting; “You Luos must use your numbers, wide spread and influence to unite the nations of the region”. The advice was delivered to the Luo of Kenya on the assumption that they tend to be the leaders of the other Luwo.

But no one noticed the coming storm…. The Luo of Kenya, for the first time in 60 years, are on the throes of a huge political crossroads. Younger members of the community are praying that Raila Odinga wins the AUC contest, not necessarily because they care about the seat, but for two main reasons;

1. As a just retirement reward for the years Raila has given to the nation and to the community.

2. So that in the absence of Raila, the younger people can “sort out” the political madness that has been prevalent in the land, where lethargic, divisive, hopeless and rudderless leaders have hidden behind Raila for decades.

Without Raila to lift up people’s hands, a tsunami is coming that will sweep all rubbish to the sea, and you can’t bet on any sitting Luo elected leader surviving it. The storm is coming. It will start hitting the shores of Nam Lolwe next month after the AUC elections. Luos are tired of the current leaders. Looters, bipolar narcissists, liars and regime praise singers. Luo land is about to undergo a renaissance. If you are a political watcher, keep your eye on Luoland. If you saw some of Luo MPs and other elected leaders laughing heartily at the 2024 Piny Luo Festival, their laughter masked a deep anxiety and fear. This will be their last happy Piny Luo Festival. Because the storm is coming!