By OPCS PS
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has urged the Maragoli community to urgently begin discussions on the need to regularize land ownership and succession to safeguard their socio-economic future.
Mudavadi made the remarks in Vihiga County when he met members of the Maragoli Cultural Festival Committee ahead of the 46th edition of the festival.
He expressed concern that the community was impoverishing itself due to lack of order in land succession, a situation he warned could embed poverty for generations if not addressed.
“There is no order taking place in land succession in our community. Do you have the death certificate or have you started the process of acquiring land ownership? We are impoverishing our people because things have changed. We must start talking about the need to regularize the ownership of land and title in our community,” said Mudavadi.
He added that socio-economic shocks had worsened because families were failing to properly consolidate and manage land. He cautioned that unless cultural and community structures were strengthened, the Maragoli risked sinking deeper into poverty.
The 2019 census placed the Maragoli population at 2.1 million. The upcoming festival, held annually, serves as a platform for intergenerational learning and cultural preservation.
According to the concept note presented to Mudavadi, the 46th Maragoli Cultural Festival will run under the theme: “Responsibility, Vision and Moral Guidance.”
The objectives include the preservation of culture, promoting sustainable community development, establishing a cultural logo, advancing the identification and consolidation of cultural land and the development of the Maragoli Cultural Centre. Mudavadi paid homage to Mulogooli, affirming that culture and heritage must remain central to the community’s future.
He invoked the Maragoli expression “Uvwami ni miando” to mean “leadership is responsibility), stressing that cultural leadership must go hand in hand with socio-economic progress.
He urged the Maragoli to remain positive, defend their identity in a constructive way and embrace unity. He encouraged them to be strong in voter registration, noting that due to doubt and disunity, the community had failed to secure the Lugari parliamentary seat.
“Because of being doubting Thomases we have never secured the seat in Lugari. Let us support our neighbours in Malava, because a win for them is a win for us,” he added.
Mudavadi further challenged the festival committee and the wider community to work together, plan better and make this year’s cultural festival a success.
He reminded the community of the weight of his office, explaining that under Article 240 of the Constitution, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs is mandated to sit in the National Security Council.
“I want you to know that the Kenyan Constitution, Article 240, gives the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs the mandate to sit in the Council. You need to understand the weight of the position I hold. I am one of you. If you mess and I am out of the Council, are you ready with the replacement?” Mudavadi posed.
Mudavadi cautioned the Maragoli community against being deceived by political sideshows, pointing directly at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya. He said Natembeya was deliberately undermining the pride and dignity of the Maragoli, despite their strong representation in national leadership.
“Natembeya is undermining you and your pride, yet you have your son sitting in the National Security Council. This is food for thought. You should not be deceived by Natembeya with his sideshows,” Mudavadi warned firmly.
He urged the community to remain steadfast, avoid distractions and instead focus on strengthening their cultural and political influence in unity.
Mudavadi also received a memorandum from the Logooli Cultural Society, outlining the community’s concerns and aspirations on culture, land and development.
The Logooli, one of the sub-tribes of the Luhya community, are known for their rich cultural traditions, language and heritage practices that emphasize unity, respect for elders and intergenerational learning. The society has been at the forefront of preserving and promoting these cultural values, making the Maragoli Cultural Festival a central platform for cultural pride and continuity.
Turning to politics, Mudavadi called on the Maragoli and the wider Western Kenya region to unite behind President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He said it would be extremely difficult to unseat a sitting President, comparing Kenya’s electoral environment with Malawi and Ghana.
“In 2027, Kenya is not Malawi or Ghana. It will be so difficult to defeat a sitting President. That’s why I urged we join together to be strong and do the heavy-weight boxing come the 2027 elections.
Let us all rally behind President Ruto for he is giving us the right direction,” he said.
Mudavadi urged the community to evaluate itself and change tact in order to become stronger politically, economically and socially.
He also extended a warm welcome to President William Ruto, who is expected in Vihiga for the PAG centenary celebrations and the registration of Sabatia Eye Hospital as a research centre.
On his role in leadership, Mudavadi reminded the gathering that he is no longer confined to constituency politics.
“I’m not an MP for Sabatia, I’m now a resident of Sabatia and Vihiga County. My interest is to drive the national agenda for the people of Sabatia. My time as an MP is long done. We are giving space for other people to move. This is a message we need to convey to our people so that they make good choices. We are now looking at the broader national agenda,” said Mudavadi.