The ceremony took place during the 5th Piny Luo Festival in Migori County and was led by the Ker, the cultural leader of the Luo people.
During the ceremony, both leaders were presented with traditional symbols of authority, including a seat of the ruler, a shield, a spear, a whisk, and a traditional cloth.
During the ceremony, both leaders were presented with traditional symbols of authority, including a seat of the ruler, a shield, a spear, a whisk, and a traditional cloth.
These symbols signify leadership, responsibility, and the commitment to uphold the values and traditions of the Luo community.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga expressed his gratitude and humility upon receiving the honor. “Today marks a great honor as I am officially crowned the Luo Community Leader at Thim Lich Ohinga in Migori County.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga expressed his gratitude and humility upon receiving the honor. “Today marks a great honor as I am officially crowned the Luo Community Leader at Thim Lich Ohinga in Migori County.
I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep commitment to serve with integrity, unity, and purpose,” Oburu said.
He emphasized that the role carries a duty to preserve cultural heritage and serve the people with dedication.
President Ruto, on his part, expressed his commitment to promoting cultural preservation and tourism.
President Ruto, on his part, expressed his commitment to promoting cultural preservation and tourism.
“Later, at the Thimlich Ohinga Historic Site, I was honoured to be crowned as a Luo elder alongside ODM Party Leader, Oburu Odinga. We committed to supporting the establishment of a proper cultural centre at the site to preserve our history, promote tourism, and pass our heritage on to future generations,” Ruto stated.
The Head of State also highlighted the importance of culture as a unifying force. He noted that culture strengthens communities, fosters unity, and ensures that traditions are preserved for future generations.
During the festival, President Ruto also hinted at a potential political arrangement between his ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and the ODM party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Head of State also highlighted the importance of culture as a unifying force. He noted that culture strengthens communities, fosters unity, and ensures that traditions are preserved for future generations.
During the festival, President Ruto also hinted at a potential political arrangement between his ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and the ODM party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He stressed that ODM must consolidate its internal structures and strengthen its leadership to engage effectively with UDA.
“The ODM Party must get its act together and stand firm; we need a strong ODM so that we can jointly plan the leadership of Kenya. Once you organise and strengthen ODM, I will organise UDA so that we meet at that point and form a government through mutual agreement,” Ruto said.
The Piny Luo Festival is an annual event that celebrates Luo culture, heritage, and traditions. It provides a platform for cultural preservation, tourism, and intergenerational learning.
“The ODM Party must get its act together and stand firm; we need a strong ODM so that we can jointly plan the leadership of Kenya. Once you organise and strengthen ODM, I will organise UDA so that we meet at that point and form a government through mutual agreement,” Ruto said.
The Piny Luo Festival is an annual event that celebrates Luo culture, heritage, and traditions. It provides a platform for cultural preservation, tourism, and intergenerational learning.
Through ceremonies like the crowning of elders, the festival reinforces the importance of leadership that respects history while engaging with contemporary political and social realities.
Leaders crowned as elders are expected to serve as custodians of culture, mentors to younger generations, and advocates for community development.
Leaders crowned as elders are expected to serve as custodians of culture, mentors to younger generations, and advocates for community development.
