The fifth edition of the Piny Luo Festival was officially launched on Monday at Rongo University in Migori County, bringing together political leaders, community elders, scholars, and members of the public for a celebration of Luo culture, heritage, and development.
The festival, which runs until December 17, aims to strengthen unity, promote cultural continuity, and foster economic empowerment among the Luo community, estimated to number over 25 million people across Africa.
Piny Luo Festival serves as a vibrant reflection of Luo identity, providing a platform to celebrate cultural heritage, honour ancestral roots, and renew a collective commitment to preserving a lasting legacy for future generations.
During the opening ceremony, speakers emphasized the need to broaden Luo identity beyond names and lineage, urging the community to embrace a shared vision grounded in values, history, development, and collective responsibility.
ODM Party Leader and Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, the chief guest, said Luo unity gains meaning when anchored in peace, tolerance, and mutual respect, reinforced by honesty, loyalty, generosity, and inclusivity.
Dr. Oginga noted that embracing divergent opinions, voices, ideas, and expressions fuels the community’s collective journey toward progress and lasting prosperity. He added that the Piny Luo Festival provides an opportunity for reflection on culture, heritage, and the shared commitment to prosperous livelihoods.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko urged the Luo community to take pride in their rich and progressive culture as a foundation for unity and continued advocacy for national cohesion and inclusivity.
Governor Ayacko acknowledged that while some outdated cultural practices should be abandoned, core traditions must be preserved and adapted to suit contemporary life. He described the festival as a vital platform for fostering unity and harnessing cultural heritage for sustainable development across the Luo nation.
ODM Party Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga echoed similar sentiments, stating that Luo unity must be anchored in peace and tolerance, driven by faithfulness, a spirit of sharing, and inclusivity.
Governor Wanga observed that the strength of the Luo community lies in its diversity of thought, opinion, and expression, which inspires collective pursuit of prosperity.
Leaders at the forum expressed concern over the limited exposure of younger generations to cultural traditions and called for modern methods of transmission, including storytelling, mentorship, and structured community programmes.
Economic empowerment featured prominently during the discussions, with participants lamenting the decline of traditional systems such as granaries, kitchen gardens, and livestock rearing, which previously ensured household stability.
Speakers advocated for the revival of agricultural activities and empowerment of small-scale enterprises to stimulate local economies in the Nyanza region, urging county governments to support grassroots initiatives.
Social reforms were also addressed, particularly the financial burden associated with extravagant funerals. Speakers cited the swift and dignified burial of the late statesman Raila Odinga as a model, calling on the Luo Council of Elders to review customs in line with current socio-economic realities.
Beyond dialogue, the festival promotes cultural tourism through planned visits to Senye Beach in Sori for boat rides and Thimlich Ohinga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient dry-stone structures.
Hosting the event at Rongo University is expected to boost the institution’s innovation, research initiatives, and academic programmes, further strengthening its reputation as a center of higher learning.
By Andy Awuor and Makokha Khaoya
