Calls for integration as annual Luo festival ends

The three-day annual cultural festival, dubbed Piny Luo, came to an end Thursday with leaders calling for the integration of East African communities.

The event, which took place at the Migwena Cultural Grounds and Got Ramogi, brought together both Luo and non-Luo communities from different parts of the country.

Tthe climax of the festival was attended by President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni.

Also in attendance were former Prime Minister and African Union Commission chairmanship candidate Raila Odinga, as well as Governors James Orengo (Siaya), Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), and Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu).

Raila advocated for trade between African countries and the opening of borders for the free movement of people and goods.

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Inter-African trade stands at only 15 per cent, inter-European trade at 70 per cent, and inter-Asian trade at 60 per cent. Africa trades more with the external world than with itself. This is something we need to correct. We must open our borders so that people can move freely from one place to another. This, in my view, will help a lot,” said Raila.

President Ruto highlighted the need to view the artificial boundaries that exist not as roadblocks but as stepping stones for growth.

“We should use the artificial boundaries as bridges for our people, goods, and services to cross borders within our countries, because there cannot be a successful Kenya without a thriving East Africa. There cannot be a thriving Uganda without a successful East Africa. That is why it is important for us to build on the successes we have achieved in putting together the building blocks for trade, investment, and business between the countries of East Africa,” said Ruto.

He, lauded the festival, described it as a great celebration of success and devolution in the country.

“This is a great appreciation of culture. Even as we celebrate community culture, we do it in the context of multinationalism. We must remind ourselves that it is possible to belong to one community while being part of one indivisible nation,” Ruto said.