New Bamasaaba community king seeks peace, unity after disputed elections

His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma acknowledges greetings from members of Bamasaaba community at Buteyo Miti Park in Bungoma County on October 8, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] The sound of a police siren heading towards Buteyo Miti Park Conservancy in Bungoma County drew the attention of residents of Sanga'lo village, Bungoma County, on a Sunday afternoon. Curious to see what was happening, the residents thronged the park where His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma (Umukuuka lll), the visiting King of a Bamasaaba community, was unveiled. Bamasaaba community comprises four major clans; Bukusu, Mwambu, Mubuya and Munale. They are distributed both in Kenya and Uganda. Planned coronation It was the first time Umukuuka lll was visiting his subjects in Kenya ahead of his planned coronation on October 14 at Mutoto Cultural and Heritage Centre in Mbale, Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to grace the auspicious occasion. The king was in Bungoma to introduce himself to his subjects in Kenya and extend an invitation to them, as per the dictates of the 'Inzu ya Masaaba' (lineage of Masaaba) culture. Umukuuka lll serves as a unifying factor for about 12 million people from the community living in Kenya and Uganda. The Bamasaaba people live in Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya, spread across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties. If Mudoma's coronation goes down as planned, Inzu ya Masaaba will finally have a king after three years of protracted cultural conflict following the death of Sir Bob Mushikori (Umukuuka II) in 2021. His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma signs a visitors book in Bungoma County on October 8, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] Factions, one led by Mudoma and another one by John Amram Wagabyalire, have been embroiled in supremacy battles following a disputed election. The new cultural leader will be in office for five years, after which he pave the way for a new leader, most likely from Kenya, according to the king's handlers. Umukuuka III was elected by 26 clan heads after the delegate system failed to resolve the dispute. He was in the country to assure his subjects that he was a leader for everyone and that his cabinet would have representation from both Kenya and Uganda. "There were rumours that I don't like Bamasaaba from Kenya. That is not true. Bamasaaba is my blood, roots and my people. I came here to assure you that I am totally behind my brothers from Kenya," said King Mudoma. During our elections He added: "Let's forget about the leadership wrangles we had during our elections. That is in the past, and I have embarked on the long journey of streamlining and strengthening clan ties in Kenya and Uganda." Mudowa said that to show that he meant well for all the Bamasaaba clans, he suspended the appointment of his ministers until the time there would be 'proper' representation from Kenya. "I only appointed the prime minister, secretary-general and treasurer. The other positions will be filled after consensus from our Kenyan brothers. This is part of the healing process I am seeking as the cultural leader of our community," said Umukuuka III. Umukuuka (III) said he came to Kenya to talk to clan elders from Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties and nominate 'top brains' that would sit in his cabinet. His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma visits his Kenyan subjects ahead of his planned coronation at Mutoto Cultural and Heritage Centre in Mbale, Uganda. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] He said the clans, which have a population of at least 12 million people across the two countries, should remain united. "I am setting up a task force, composed of Bamasaaba from Uganda and Kenya, to draft a legal instrument that will harmonize things. We will from today work together as children of the same parents," said Mudoma. Bungoma County Executive Committee Member in charge of Gender, Culture, Youth and Sports, Agnes Wachie, called for an end to wrangles among Bamasaaba that stemmed from the election of Umukuuka III. "We must resolve our differences as the people of Bamasaaba. What's important is to push for our unity and the socio-economic development of our people," said Ms Wachie. Long-lasting solution She went on: "Clan elders within the Bamasaaba community from Kenya and Uganda need to foster unity of purpose as a way of bringing a long-lasting solution to the wrangles we experienced after the election of our new cultural leader." Richard Walukano, Bukusu Council of Elders chairperson, said they are in support of the new cultural leader, saying they will push for the unity of the kingdom to realize meaningful development. King Mudowa was accompanied by his Prime Minister Charles Walimbwa, Secretary General Herbert Mulekwa Herbert and a host of local MPs. Inzu Ya Masaaba (the house of Masaaba) was created in 2010 with the aim of preserving and fostering the culture of the Bamasaaba people.

New Bamasaaba community king seeks peace, unity after disputed elections

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

New Bamasaaba community king seeks peace, unity after disputed elections

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.