Iteso Cultural leader Emormor Papa Paul Sande Emolot is set to tour Kenya in March or April 2024 to launch the Nairobi Ateker Association, and also to bring together the Teso diaspora community members.
The plans for the king’s cultural visit were announced by Nairobi Iteso caucus, led by Chairman Julius Ekwenye.
Ekwenye announced this after paying a courtesy call to the Iteso King at his Ang’ololo village residence in Uganda.
The chairman further stated that Emormor will launch the association and seek an audience with Bomas of Kenya’s leadership to discuss the need to equip Bomas Iteso village.
Papa Emormor said that for the association to grow, there was the need to boost its membership. To put things into context, the king gave an example of how KANU (political party) survived for so long because of its strong membership.
The Iteso Cultural Union also plans to launch a major funds drive in January 2024. The funds drive will seek to empower clans in Kenya and Uganda to initiate income-generating activities to support its members, e.g., planting cultural crops like the cassava.
During the meeting, Papa Emormor was met by other various caucus members including organizing Isaac Oprong, economic and business advisor Patrick Ataro. Others included Emojong Ausi, Ronald Ekisa, and Iteso Cultural Union Deputy Prime Minister Fredrick Adung’o.
The Iteso King also revealed that Uganda’s vice president, Jessica Alupo, will soon visit the Teso Kenya caucus, before meeting President William Ruto. The king further encouraged the Iteso community to form alliances for better resource allocation and to unite instead of remaining passive observers.
Papa Emormor also met with Teso South MP Mary Emaase, and Teso North MP Oku Kaunya to discuss how to schedule the king’s meeting with President Ruto.
Iteso Cultural Union Deputy Prime Minister Fredrick Adung’o announced the Iteso community in Nairobi has been granted district autonomy, with members represented at ICU Council meetings.
The DPM said ICU has also introduced awards to be given to members with distinguished service. A former assistant minister in the Kenyan government, Hon. Ekirapa is the first recipient of the award.
Isaac Oprong praised Papa Emormor for positioning Ateker globally, highlighting his appointment as the chairman of African royalties, a significant achievement. The Iteso community has significantly contributed to Nairobi City’s socio-economic and political development but has not been acknowledged. Oprong highlighted the need to have a road in Nairobi named after Teso culture.
Oprong also expressed concern that no Iteso community member has been nominated for representation in Arusha, Tanzania since the EALA’s establishment, indicating a need for a paradigm shift.
Patrick Ataro believes Papa Emormor’s visit to Nairobi will enhance the community’s bargaining power and teso unity, highlighting the government’s omission of community members in job allocation.
Ausi Emojong emphasized the importance of interrogating communities along Kenya- Uganda border, urging their cultural leader to facilitate cross-border trade for economic development and market access.
