Midas Touch: Orengo Opens New Office for Sports and Tourism in Siaya

Orengo said that the office launch is timely since the space will host stakeholders working on modalities that will see a number of cultural and sporting activities scheduled for December 2024 become a success.

“The office has a boardroom that will enable stakeholders to effectively plan on the Migwena Cultural event, Piny Luo event and modalities that go with inauguration of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in January 2025,” said Governor Orengo.

The Governor was flanked by various CECMs; Ms Oduor, Water Executive Prof Jaqueline Oduol, County Secretary Joseph Ogutu, County Solicitor Lewnard Okanda, Chief Officers; Michael Oliech(Water and Environment), Joseph Omondi(Lands) and Contractor Gabriel Omondi Ndege.

Orengo and Ms Oduor lauded the contractor for doing a quality job.

“The contractor has good workmanship and going by the quality job he has done, he deserves more jobs,” said Oduor.

Others who were in attendance included Acting Chief Officer for Tourism Peter Asuke, Director Culture Ken Oreyo and Director Sports Sanmac Okoth.

The Opening of the office comes only two days after the chairman of the Piny Luo Central Planning Committee, Mathews Owili held a meeting in Siaya with stakeholders to discuss details of the event.

After a two hour meeting, Owili urged Kenyans especially the Luos to embrace and attend Piny Luo Cultural festival to be hosted in Siaya County from December 28th to 31st 2024.

“We are coming together to revive our memories of the luo culture and chart a way forward as a community. We will know from that event our way forward as a community in terms of the Country’s political landscape.”

“Siaya will play host to so many dignitaries national and international. This will include former Premier Raila Odinga, Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Interior PS Raymond Omolo, among other leading sons and daughters of the region.

At least 60 elders from the four counties; Migori, Siaya, Homa-bay and Kisumu have confirmed their attendance of the event that is marketed to attract Luos from all parts of Africa.

“We have formed various committees and tasked them to work on modalities that will see a successful Migwena Cultural Festival, Piny Luo Festival then culminate in the opening of Siaya stadium (Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium),” said a buoyant Orengo.

“We want to call out the Luo community to be part of the celebrations during this Christmas festivities,” challenged the county chief.

On his part Owili said the county government of Siaya will work closely with hoteliers and private investors to offer adequate accommodation for guests preparing to spend a week in the agricultural town.

He urged the Siaya County technical coordination group to work closely with hoteliers to ready their premises for the hundreds of participants.

“We need also to have an indication of those coming from Padhola and other areas for them to have reports on the available hotels and rates,” added Owili.

Owili who is the Kisumu Deputy Governor and was flanked by his co-chair Joseph Ogutu.

Tourism Executive Anjeline Oduor extended a warm welcome to all members of the larger Lwo community to Siaya.

“When you come to Siaya, it should be known that Siaya is equal to Ramogi Ajwang’, it is one of the sites that we really treasure and we believe that all the Luos that belong to the four Nyanza Counties have their roots here.”

Angeline also revealed that those interested in site visits should know that four huts signifying four sons of Ramogi are already constructed on Got Ramogi.

“The four huts erected on Got Ramogi are named after the four counties and will liaise with CECM’s from the Counties for each to own the huts.

The Ramogi Hill which is commonly known Got Ramogi is seen Kilometers from Usenge center and 20 kilometers from Bondo town.

Ramogi is the great ancestor of the Luo tribe.

The Ramogi hill is of great importance to Luos because its believed to be the first point where the Community settled in Kenya from Southern Sudan before dispersing to other parts of Nyanza and neighboring countries like Uganda, Tanzania among others.

It’s a unifying factor for all luos in Siaya, Homabay, Migori and Kisumu since their ancestors first settled there on their way from Southern Sudan through Uganda.

The Ramogi hill with its thick forest and rich superstition is therefore a place of sentimental value to any visitor to Siaya. A myth goes that for one to find lucky, one only has to pluck leaves and drop on the earthen pot surrounding Rapogi stones located at the entry of the hill.

Similarly, in the Publicity Committee, strategies have been laid down to increase awareness on the Piny Luo festival.

“we want to drive attendance by engaging the target audience, establish the Piny Luo festival as annual Festival plan in Western Kenya and attract media coverage up to international levels,”

The target audience are locals from the four Luo Nyanza Counties, the Diaspora Communities and local, International tourists, some of the audiences will be Luo Community living in Nairobi and major towns including those from Uganda, Ethiopia, Congo, South Sudan.

Key messages that will reach audiences includes; celebrate the rich luo heritage and culture at the Piny Luo Festival, enjoy two days of excitement, traditional music dance foods and arts in Siaya, be part of the big Cultural week in December, explore, engage and celebrate or discover the Luo way of life at the Piny Luo festival where tradition meets modernity.

The Publicity committee will leverage on digital media and community engagement to reach target audience.

The committee said it will use digital media strategies to popularize the event, including social media digital campaign, Facebook, twitter, Tiktok, to promote the festival. Paid media adverts, Instagram to drive and create awareness.

The meeting was also attended by Culture Director Ken Oreyo and elder Representatives from four Nyanza Counties.