Omwami Mwene 
The story of a piece of infrastructure and how its transformation threatens to not only rename a place, but redefine it. This is the story of Chavakali junction. Across the republic, there are dozens of market places and vibrant towns that go by the name Makutano. The all have one transport feature that’s also present … Read more
That a single piece of infrastructure can transform not only the look, but also human activity wherever it is situated is no news. The completed Chavakali junction overpass along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway serves as further evidence of this claim. If in need of before photos of the junction during it’s construction, look no further than … Read more
Prof. Mary Walingo hails from County Kakamega. At the time of writing, September of 2019 when she hit the headlines, her local representative was West Kabras MCA Hon. David Ndakwa, leader of minority Kakamega County. Her local MP was Hon Malulu Injendi of Malava Constituency. She hails not far from Lukume area. A recent investigative … Read more
This is why you can’t herd a few goats and claim to have paid Bukusu dowry Gaining the status of in-law to a Luhya family is one of the best decisions one can make. For us, an in-law is the most sacred, most important relation one can have. Especially so if your in-laws are Bukusu. … Read more
Kinagosi, plural, vinagosi is an endangered plant of the genus Euphorbia. What follows is a look at the taboos surrounding this shrub of immense cultural value to the Maragoli of Kenya. With lots of nostalgia, a story is told by old men of a particular time, circa half a century ago. It was a time … Read more
Beyond totems, such as animals that are said to be clan animals, Bukusu clans can be differentiated by their quirks. The following stereotypes on Bukusu clans are intended to make us laugh at ourselves. What follows is a hilarious punt at opening the closets that hold the things that, like in any big family, we … Read more
Among the Luhya, it was relatively common to use buffalo hide to make traditional Luhya shields and sleeping mats. However, feasting on buffalo meat required luck. For you had to chance upon it. Meet the king of meats according to a Bukusu proverb and Luhya food taboos. It has always been a Luhya thing to … Read more
We explore the meaning of the Bukusu proverb ‘enyama yo mundu eli nga yemboko, okinyolela khusibumba‘ which translates to: the meat of a human being is not like that of a buffalo, if you find it you are as good as dead. This search for meaning, takes us on a journey into Bukusu and Luhya … Read more
Fear, exasperation, hopelessness and loss are just some of the words that we associate with death. Such are the different things we feel, suffer and experience about death. It is why there were different types of death among the Luhya. Death, the great mystery of life, never is music to the ears. However unwanted, its … Read more
We have marveled at the foolish pride, senseless fight for mates, academic rivalry and other things important to teenagers that underlay every epic high school rivalry in Western Kenya. What we didn’t delve into is our mention at how good beef between teachers can fuel all this. As today’s post will reveal, healthy competition is … Read more
