Title deed holds up works on Sh100m Kogelo centre

By George Olwenya

The Government will not begin construction of Sh100 million Kogelo Cultural Centre until it receives the title deed for land donated towards the venture.

The Nyanza Provincial Director of Culture, Kenneth Otieno, said the work will only begin when they receive the document from Kogelo community that donated the land for the new site after US President Barack Obama’s grandmother, Mama Sarah Obama rejected an earlier location.

"We are waiting for the title deed so that construction can begin," said Mr Otieno.

He was speaking during the fourth edition of the Obama Kogelo Cultural Festivals presided over by the wife of US ambassador, Mrs Judy Gration accompanied by Mama Sarah among other guests.

Otieno said the Government was committed to supporting all cultural festivals across Nyanza.

"We look at cultural festivals as a way to enhance tourism," he said.

Mrs Gration said the new site was impressive and could attract many visitors from the US, if properly planned.

She said the Luo community had a rich culture and amused the crowd when she singled out polygamy, which according to her worked well in the region. She said the centre could showcase how a man lived with three wives in one home.

Mama Sarah said the idea of the Obama Kogelo cultural festival can be traced to the ninth generation of the famous Kogelo clan.

"The purpose of this festival is to maintain the legacy of Ogelo the talented leader, spokesman, a great dancer, hunter and the great grandfather of US president Barack Obama," said Mama Sarah.