LUO NYANZA NEEDS SPECIAL PROGRAMMES (PARAPHRASING Prof. J. B. Ouma Muga)

Prof. Ouma Muga was interviewed by the Ramogi Studio with 'Ohigla' Presenter Odhiambo mak'Owiti on Thursday 05-jul-2007 10pm and below are some of what he said. I will paraphrase and I beg that wherever I differ or may err I be pardoned. Its unfortunate I never stayed awake till the end of the programme.

1. The Issue that Luos cannot lead.
Ramogi Radio reported/broadcasted on their 6am - 7am bulletin news on sunday 1-jul-2007 that the Professor said Luos cannot lead and wait for 2012.

-The eloquent man of the books said he was misquoted and stressed that he said 'The Luos have supported all liberation movements in Kenya, and have even supported other tribes. Why is it that they are denied a chance at leadership? Raila is out fighting for himself and other people are clinging to his cloak and doing nothing for the community. I urge professional of the Luo community (Orengo, Grace Ogot, Ndolo Ayah, Akumu ja Kogero, Phoebe Asiyo) to come out in support of Raila. Why cant Luo elders (Meshack Riaga Ogalo), and other honorable and influencial apex of luo elders come out and meet their Kalenjin, Kamba, Luhyia counterparts to convince the likes of Ruto, Kalonzo, Miudavadi let Raila lead? These people have ganged against Raila yet they never undergone University of Sorrows, faculty of Weeping, department of Torture. I urge Raila to soldier on, and even go at it alone. If he fails to make it at presidency, he can go back and wait for 2012 as the Luo's lay strategies.

On the same note he went ahead to say that the first demonstration against the white man's rule was organized by the Luos in 1922 and their blood flowed along the now Tom Mboya street. Where were the Kikuyus, Kalenjins, Kambas, etc who could face the same?

The first political/social party was organized by the Luos way back in 1930s. Wasn't this leadership?

Achieng Oneko was the original founder of Mau Mau and after him came other people, yet he was denied even a chance to live a life he deserved. The first press and local newspaper was initiated and owned by a Luo - Ramogi Achieng Oneko.

At the peak of struggle for independence, no one knew Kenyatta outside the Kiambu region! The Kapenguria six as they lived to be known could have all been hanged - thanks to a Luo! Argwing Kodhek agreed to represent them at a case which even the Indians could not handle. Wasn't this leadership?

2. Dark Years of the Luos.
The Luos has suffered at the hands of the former governments whom they supported in bringing up - just by simple words! In 1963 - Jommo Kenyatta was advised that to stop Luos from leading, they (Luos) must be eliminated by killing (Argwings Kodhek, TJMboya), arrest, jail and detain them (Oginga Odinga, Ouma Muga, Achieng Oneko), kill all industries in Luo land (Cotton). The document is kept at the Kenya National Archives to date.

Kenyatta died and Luos thought their chance had come once again, but ......

Detain, Jail, Kill them (Oginga, Ouko) came back again at the hands of Moi. Under Moi's regime is when the Luos even suffered more as all industries in luoland collapsed. As at now Luos only have one employment source, which is also at stake - coffin making and burying the dead!

Under Kibaki things even got back to worse.

Under Moi's Rule Ouma Muga is the one who wrote a presentation paper on Ozone Layer which has been accepted and adopted as a standard report for references by the United Nations- is this not leadership?

3. Luos need Special Programmes.
The Lome Accord of 1972 approved Kenya, Mauritius to export 1000 tonnes of Sugar to the European Countries. The Accord specifically said that Nyanza could produce high quality sugar and they even arm-twisted Kenyatta on accepting this - and SONY Sugar was born in 1978. It is sad that the same government has killed SONY SUGAR and other sugar industries in Nyanza and this has even seen the European countries rejecting Kenyan Sugar. Today Mauritius exports over 10000 tones of sugar to Europe alone. What did we do the Luos to deserve this?

In 1922 Kenya was the first country in East Africa to plant cotton... and this was along lake Victoria. This saw the setting up of KICOMI. Did KICOMI not die under Moi's rule who accepted import of mitumba clothes? What did we do the Luos to deserve this?

Today fish exports from Kenya's lake Victoria brings in 16 billion shillings, and yet the Lake is dying up. Cant even the government be ashamed to spend 1 billion shillings on rectifying the situation in Lake Victoria?

4. The Power of the Word
Oginga said 'No independence without Kenyatta' and so Kenyatta was released and become president only to forget about who saved his life from detention.

When Moi rose to power, the Luos supported him, only to neglect them and even kill their elites.

Raila said 'Kibaki Tosha' and he was elected president only to forget about him and kick him out all together

... And now they want Raila to say Someone Tosha??????

Let us all rally round Raila and give him support......

..................
As I said I never stayed up to the end of the interview but thought wise sharing this with you.

To the other tribes - please reduce your desire for leadership and let Raila Rule we see what he can do. Please wait for your turn!

Just as Professor said let the people decide e dho Debe and even if we are defeated 2012 is another year for General Elections!

What did we do the Luos to deserve this? Where did we go and has still been going on wrong - Chiero mikudho ema gawi!

Jagoro: Arreddo Nyang'

You call me Arreddo Nyang, I'll respond