The King of the Bamasaba from Uganda has kicked off his Kenya tour with a high-profile visit to Trans Nzoia County, in a move aimed at strengthening cultural ties and reconnecting communities with a shared heritage across borders.
The Umukuka, Jude Mike Mudoma, was received by Governor George Natembeya at the county headquarters in Kitale. Leaders present underscored the importance of unity among the Bamasaba people, who are spread across Kenya and Uganda.
“We are hosting His Royal Highness, the King of the Masaba, and we have welcomed him to our offices. He will be planning a tour of this region as part of efforts to reconnect our people,” said Natembeya.
The governor noted that the King had already held consultative meetings with local leaders, including Members of County Assembly (MCAs), to align on cultural revival initiatives.
The royal delegation also engaged the Bukusu Council of Elders, led by chair Richard Walukano, in discussions focused on cultural preservation, identity, and unity among the wider Bamasaba community.
“This journey is ongoing. Culture does not know boundaries. These are deliberate efforts to unite our people. We are one community, and we want our people to understand their roots and traditions,” Natembeya added.
Speaking during the visit, King Mudoma expressed appreciation for the warm reception and emphasized the shared identity of the Bamasaba people, whose population he said exceeds 10 million across the region.
“I am very grateful for the warm welcome here in Trans Nzoia. We are one people, one tribe, and that is why I am here,” he said.
The King warned that traditional practices are gradually being eroded, calling for renewed commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage through cross-border engagements.
“Our culture is being eroded, and we want to benefit from this kind of interaction to revive and strengthen it,” he noted.
The visit marks the start of a broader Kenya tour targeting communities of shared ancestry, particularly the Bukusu, a key sub-group within the larger Bamasaba community. The cultural outreach is expected to deepen regional cohesion and promote heritage preservation.
The King is also scheduled to visit Bungoma County as part of his ongoing tour.
