Luhya Elders Petition William Ruto to Award 104-year-old Jamin Lubang'a with State Commendation
- Luhya elders in Trans Nzoia county called on President William Ruto to consider awarding 104-year-old Jamin Kadasia Lubang'a with a Head of State Commendation (HSC)
- The elders from the seventeen subtribes of the community said Lubang’a deserves the HSC for his role in advocating for unity in Trans Nzoia
- Mzee Lubang’a settled in Trans Nzoia county in 1948 after quitting his job as a teacher to focus on farming
Elders from seventeen Luhya sub tribes living in Trans Nzoia county have appealed to President William Ruto to recognise elder Jamin Kadasia Lubang'a as a hero worth the Head of State Commendation (HSC).
Source: Original
Why Luhya elders want Jamin Kadasia Lubang'a awarded HSC
Speaking to the press after paying Lubang’a a visit at his Matisi residence, the elders, led by their chairperson Wycliffe Ongola, said the 104-year-old deserves such recognition for uniting the people of Trans Nzoia during the 1992 tribal clashes and 2007 post-election violence.
"He is a uniting factor and a role model to many," Angola told the press.
On his part, the council’s secretary David Mwale said Mzee Kadasia is the most deserving and qualified person to receive the presidential commendation.
Mwale said the centenarian had helped bring cohesion in Trans Nzoia and the best way to celebrate him was to give him a Head of State Commendation in this year's Mashujaa Day.
“We will be the happiest people if we hear his name mentioned as a hero," Mwale said.
He also pointed out that if young people are also recognised, Kadasia should have been recognised a long time ago.
The elders also expressed their concern with divisive politics that they noted threaten the unity fought for by mzee Kadasia.
They dismissed the claims that the Luhya community is ever divided and cannot front a serious presidential candidate in any election.
"We are asking all politicians in the country to stop issuing inflammatory statements that will destroy the efforts of cohesion that Mzee Jamin Kadasia made,” said Isukha sub tribe representative Laurence Lodanga.
When did Mzee Lubang'a settle in Trans Nzoia?
Mzee Lubang'a settled in Trans Nzoia in 1948 after quitting his teaching job in Kakamega and focused on farming.
He is celebrated for his contribution towards the establishment of the Friends Church in Trans Nzoia County.
During the visit by the elders from the seventeen sub tribes of the Luhya community, the delegation showered the 104-year-old with various gifts, including traditional foodstuffs and a certificate of appreciation.
Source: Original
The sub tribes that fall under the Luhya cluster include, Maragoli, Kabras, Isukha, Tachoni, Idakho, Marachi, Marama, Nyala, Banyore, Masaaba and Samia.
Others are Tiriki, Wanga, Batura, Tsotso, Khayo and Kisa.
Why Luhya elders don't want MPs to align with Raila and Ruto
TUKO.co.ke previously reported that a section of Luhya elders from Likuyani in Kakamega county warned Members of Parliament from the region against aligning with President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The elders noted that there was nothing the region had benefited from the agreement between the two leaders.
They also asked the legislators to join the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), which they argued pushes for their interests.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Emanuel Tarus I am professional multi-media journalist with eight years experience as a field-based correspondent. Integrity, objectivity and adherence to ethical standards are my guiding principles in journalism. I am based in Trans Nzoia county and very passionate about gender, crime, environment and climate change reporting. I am also interested in health, human interest, development, leadership and governance beats. In the future, I would like to specialize in diplomacy and geopolitics reporting to expand my reporting scope.
