Sabaot residents living in the vast Bungoma County have been called upon to keep on observing and performing their cultural practices as it is the only way to identify themselves in a unique way in accordance with their tribes that has been there since their forefather’s era.
Bungoma County governor Ken Lusaka in his address to residents from the Sabaot community at Chemoge during their annual cultural day festival said everyone has their own origin and that it should offer them a unique sense of belonging, therefore, they should not shy away from it.
He said as the Sabaot community where his deputy governor Hillary Chongwony hails from plus other tribes residing in the county have their own unique cultural practices which he says needs to be encouraged saying he is in consultation with education stakeholders to have mother tongue be reintroduced at Ecd level to spearhead that.
Governor Lusaka however assured residents of Mt Elgon of initiating more development projects if they re-elect him in the forthcoming general election saying he has demonstrated that he is capable after doing a lot in his current tenure.
“My government has been able to construct the Kaberua- Chepkitale road which passes through Mt Elgon forest a road that was last rehabilitated in 1972 and residents from the region can now travel with ease and the Kapsokwony –Kopsiro road will also be tarmacked by the national government,” he said
Bungoma County culture CEC Grace Khayota said the County government has set aside land at Sang’alo in Kanduyi constituency where all tribes in the County will have their own place to showcase their own culture and keep their traditional artifacts.
She said as a County government they are keen to have all the tribes included in showcasing their culture saying it can be a source of revenue fro local as well as foreign tourists who may be interested in visiting the place to find out more about different cultures.
Some of the practices that were showcased at the event included how to name a newborn child and the traditional bows and arrows that were used during times of war.
Bungoma County director of culture Alice Wafula encouraged intermarriages among the several communities in the county saying it will foster peaceful co-existence among the clans and also urged them to remain peaceful ahead of the general election to be held in august this year.