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Heavy responsibilities for elder aunt among the Logooli

With Seenge Fonesi. She is the elder grand daughter of Isagi and elder daughter of Amugasya. She is often present in functions involving the family of Amugasya. Pic taken on 18/4/2024. The elder sister soon becomes the elder aunt. It is this “seenge munene” (elder aunt) tag that she is tied to many cultural responsibilities – back home. To her marital family she may appear as any other woman, but she is not so in the eyes of her people. Marriage does not steal her away as it would happen with other daughters of the old man. To her, as days go and the old man and woman of the estate are dependents, she becomes increasingly present.  Her brothers also need her for almost all traditional markings. They are marrying, she needs to welcome the new wife. They are giving birth, she needs to come to midwife or “bless” the new born. They are paying dowry she needs to lead the women delegate. There is a conflict she needs to come for a hearing.  And many others. Traditions does not expect her to
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In brief...

And it had started long then during migrations and settlements. History (I.0 Imbuka paper) suggests that Mulogooli (the founder of Maragoli subtribe) and Anyore (the founder of Banyore subtribe) arrived at Maragoli Hills (the hills are extension of great Nandi escarpment lying on the outskirts of the Great Rift valley)  the year App. 1530. It is a late date considering the clans who speak of ‘pre-settlement’ before Mulogooli. And for one good thing they may have sited the hills as they were on Lake Victoria moving eastwards from Uganda – serenity!

The entrance of missionaries in Western Kenya was spearheaded by the Railway line that reached Uganda in 1902. It was the same year that Friends Mission Society established their operation Vihiga and Later Kairos (North Kavirondo). A comment from Mr. Rees, having climbed a tree in the present Kaimosi Forest (extension of the larger tropical Kakamega rainforest), the earliest missionary, is said to have been written ‘this is the place!’ which resulted in the Kaimosi Complex, the extensive Friends Church and opening up of Western Kenya to the outside world.

The people in Vihiga in precolonial times were domesticated small scale farmers. They were also hunters and gathers and folk tales speak of their fears and experiences while at the field and home. They practised polygamy, boys were circumcised at a ripe age and communities were organised in clans. A council of elders meditated upon important functions and also were responsible for peace and order. Migrations from historical homes were due to banishment before land pressure encroached.



The scape of Vihiga is South-East to South-West that provides a watershed of several rivers that drain to Lake Victoria. One cross-county river is called Izava (which supported coffee farming in the ‘60’s but the crop later failed) which is always supplied by equitable rainfall distribution all the yearlong. There are uncountable springs that feed the river which are still the main points of water fetching for tapped water is yet to reach many homes. In the day it is often warm with cold nights – a warm and wet climate.

It would also go without saying that the people of Vihiga and Western Kenya have had their share in contributing to national welfare of the country. JD Otiende will be remembered for being Mau Mau secretary General and first minister for Education after independence. Survivors of World War 2 are available to recall the happenings and presently there are individuals who in their own ways sacrifice with a vision for a humanly society.

It would not conclude here for there is much that meets the eye than what can be recalled in writing. There are many ideas to build, restore and innovate in ways that life and activities in the county attract its own locals and external interests. And it would happen if stakeholders, moved by the love for their sights and society teamed up efforts. Simply because it can happen.

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