The newly appointed patron Nelson Shilunji Taliti said the clan was on the verge of losing touch and hence the need to revive its meaning by appointing a committee to run its affairs. Addressing the gathering, the patron assured them that it was time for the clan to stand up and be counted in matters of development and noted that they had the numbers to demand an equal share of the resources
By Andanje Wakhungu
www.theweeklyvisionews.net
The largest clan among the Kabras community of Kakamega County, the Abashu has launched an education fund to cater for the needy and bright students from within. The fund has been termed a huge milestone as far as the education of youngsters in the community is concerned since it is set to improve literacy levels and produce professionals who will be able to compete effectively in the job market.
Speaking during the second Abashu cultural festival, held in their ancestral ground in Kalenda grounds Mugai Shirugu ward, the outgoing secretary Pastor Moses Luvonga expressed his happiness for the coming together of the kinsmen and professionals to stamp out their differences and support their own to prosperity. The secretary said with such programmes in place the clan will be able to educate their youngsters on their cultural matters, heritage and property ownership which seems to be fading out quickly due to the embracing of the western culture.
The newly appointed patron Nelson Shilunji Taliti said the clan was on the verge of losing touch and hence the need to revive its meaning by appointing a committee to run its affairs. Addressing the gathering, the patron assured them that it was time for the clan to stand up and be counted in matters of development and noted that they had the numbers to demand an equal share of the resources.
Today we are gathered here to celebrate our unity after 22 years of being scattered and lost but as we officiate the new office as the transitional one exits, let it be known that we are forging ahead to assist one another in all their endeavours be it education employment sickness and health, we will continue to see to it that no one of us is suffering when we have different professionals in various fields who can assist, we want to be a formidable force so that when we speak we do it as one people and our voice should be heard and respected, this is not a political event but a come together of our three biggest subtribes Vangotse, Chisambo and Chivolo to start unifying our people and educate them on the importance of unity.
Shilunji further called on the clan to respect the current leadership as it was God’s plan for them to be in power. “I want to urge you to support and work with our chosen leaders’ right from the grass root level to the national level and when our time comes for one of us to be chosen they will also respect support and work with us and that is democracy”
The Kakamega North KNUT Executive secretary Shadrack Tovoko blatantly stated that for the clan to prosper it needed a clean house by dealing with internal differences that have been a stumbling block for their unity. “We have our professionals in the education sector who have all it takes to assist our students on matters of education but since we are divided into sub tribes we view each other as outsiders it is time we come home and iron out any differences so that we will be able to have a stronger and bargaining power to the resources being offered. “There are only countable youths here today because they feel we have neglected them in decision-making and assisting them to become professionals in their way.
This has been our biggest predicament in moving forward because the youths are the wheels to spearhead any good things we could be doing, through social media and other platforms and that is why we want to launch this education fund to start empowering those who are unable to continue with their education no matter the level and by doing so we will be building and strengthening the spirit of togetherness forever, this will make us strong and work as a team”
The fete which brought on board the political sons of the soil including Mca’s David Ndakwa (West Kabras), Titus Kwoma (Chekalini) and Peter Wanami Shirugu Mugai ward did not miss out on a stab at the constituency leadership which it is alleged has been poor leading to poor academic performance in the sub-county. Ndakwa Mca’s David Ndakwa (West Kabras), maintained that for the clan produce the needed leaders in the future, they need to do it through educating and empowering their siblings so that they can compete effectively for the sub-county goodies when the right times comes.
“We are leaders admiring also to produce one of our own to take over the leadership mantle at the sub county level but it will only be possible if we embrace education as our first turning point towards prosperity as it is only through an educated society that we can achieve our desired goals.”
Titus Kwoma on his part called on the young people to align themselves with the clan activities as it was their culture and heritage that they need to learn and embrace to avoid several cases of incest intermarriages due to lack of education and know-how on their bloodline.
“We know that the Western culture has really caught up with us but remember we have our own to safeguard and you will only it if you are part of us and ready to learn and as they say “he who forgets his culture is a slave” this is why we are here to start a new road to recovery and we shall stand and support you fully as it is only through education scheme like the one we have started that will be the game changer.” The new office led by retired head teacher Francis Mulari appreciated his being considered for the position and assured the members that he will bring the needed better change to the clan.
Mulari who is an educationist said it was a wise move to launch the fund as it will attract many youths to school. They will be assisted and taught about their heritage at the same time. During the event, the Patron donated Ksh.20, 000, and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula sent Ksh.20, 000 while United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Cleophas Malala gave out Ksh.100, 000 towards supporting the course.
