Turkana caucus wants divisive politics kept out of cultural festivals

Nakuru,

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

KNA by Jane Ngugi and Dennis Rasto

A caucus of professionals from the Turkana community wants politicians banned from advancing their political agenda using cultural festivals organised by various Kenyan communities as their avenue.

The Turkana Professionals in Diaspora Association (TPDA) has accused a section of politicians of making "divisive and unedifying" remarks that sometimes "desecrate the cultural values and traditions of Kenyans and communities from neighbouring communities.”

The Association has also appealed to political aspirants in Turkana who lost in last year’s General Election parliamentary and gubernatorial contest to support Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai as he was in charge of the County and he is the one given the mandate by residents to govern its affairs.

Through its spokesman Mr Justus Ekeno, the grouping observed that Lomorukai, who is an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) governor, has a good working relationship with President William Ruto for the sake of development.

“It is voters who elected MCAs, MPs, Woman Rep, Senator and even Mr Lomorukai as governor and Dr Ruto as the President. Since they are serving the same people, the constitution recognizes collaboration between national and county governments,” said Mr Ekeno.

The Association thanked Dr Ruto for bringing services closer to areas hit by banditry, by unveiling three new sub-counties of Suguta, Arow, and Lokiriama which will be operational in 90 days.

Speaking at Kenya News Agency offices in Nakuru the TPDA spokesman observed that while cultural festivals showcased Kenya as a nation that celebrates the unity in diversity of its people, who, together, make the country, pronouncements by some leaders went against national ethos and the spirit of a united Kenya.

TPDA boasts of over 1,500 members spread out in all the 47 counties and in the diaspora.

He condemned an incident where Azimio One-Kenya leader Raila Odinga could not make an address during the second day of the recently the Turkana Cultural Festival – Tobong’u Lore after the event turned chaotic last week.

Raila and his brigade – former ministers Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa; former governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang’a) - had to leave the podium in a huff after charged factional politics played out at Ekaales Centre, the venue of the cultural festival in Lodwar.  

Mr Ekeno opposed divisive party politics where politicians’ mudsling one another for political advantage during cultural fetes noting that this divides and upsets citizens from diverse cultural backgrounds yet such festivals are meant to promote peace among diverse communities living in Kenya and neighbouring countries.

“During cultural fetes some politicians take to the podium, and make divisive remarks which often have nothing to do with the cultural heritage of the host community. They are not there to celebrate our Kenyan and regional cultural diversities, inspire people or to call for unity. They don't value our national heritage at all. We should just recognize their presence (at cultural fetes) and nothing else," stated the spokesman.

Mr Ekeno pointed out that there are generational gaps between the young and the old, adding that the young generation needs to learn about culture from the older generation through cultural festivals.

"Our children in urban areas, for example, do not speak our ethnic languages well and do not understand the culture. These events give them that opportunity," he noted.

Mr Ekeno indicated that investing in the country’s cultural and heritage assets will enhance Kenya’s competitiveness as a leading tourist destination of choice in the region, besides helping the country avoid overreliance on wildlife and beach tourism and in the process fend off increased competition from other African destinations such as Mauritius, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa among others who have diversified their offerings.

The festival dubbed 'Tobong’u Lore' - meaning 'Welcome back home' in the Turkana language - features the rich cultures of the Turkana and other communities including those from neighbouring countries of Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan and shares their rich cultural heritage, including artefacts, rituals, dressing, food, song and cultural dance, among others. 

President Ruto, who officially inaugurated the annual cultural celebration festival, which began in 2014, announced that starting next year it will be elevated to a global event with the aim of attracting tourists interested in tracing the history of mankind.

“This is not just a Turkana celebration. It is not solely a national celebration. It is a global celebration of humanity,” the President stated to the locals and leaders in attendance at the cultural festival.

He further explained that the elevation of Turkana’s archaeological sites to global tourist destinations would draw science enthusiasts from around the world to Turkana. 

Dr Ruto affirmed that the government would collaborate with Turkana County administration to leverage archaeology and the nation’s diverse cultures to position Turkana as a leading tourist destination.

“We extend a warm welcome to global citizens to visit Turkana County, known as the Cradle of Humanity. The proposed science park, championed by the late Richard Leakey, will be a top priority and will be developed to attract tourists interested in learning about the evolution of human beings.

Courtesy; KNA

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