The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Emormor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, the cultural leader of the Iteso community, is gearing up for a tour of Kenya in either March or April 2024. The purpose of the tour is to inaugurate the Nairobi Ateker Association, which will bring together diaspora community members. The Nairobi Iteso caucus, under the leadership of Chairman Julius Ekwenye, recently paid a courtesy visit to Emormor at his Ang’ololo village residence in Uganda. During the visit, it was announced that Emormor would launch the association and engage with the leadership at Bomas of Kenya to discuss the enhancement of Bomas Iteso village.
Emormor emphasized the importance of expanding the association’s membership for its growth, drawing parallels to the long-lasting success of KANU due to its membership base. The Iteso Cultural Union is planning a major fundraising drive in January 2024 to empower clans in Kenya and Uganda for various tasks and the cultivation of cassava on a 1000-acre farm.
Emormor’s meeting included various caucus members such as organizer Isaac Oprong, economic and business advisor Patrick Ataro, 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, is scheduled to visit Teso Kenya to meet ICU leaders before engaging with President William Ruto.
He urged the Iteso community to form alliances for better resource allocation, advocating for unity rather than passive observation. The Caucus chairman, Julius Ekwenye, briefed Papa Emormor about a newly registered association aimed at empowering the Iteso community and addressing relevant matters.
Plans are underway to bring various Iteso associations in Nairobi and its environs on board before the launch of the Nairobi Ateker Association. Papa Emormor intends to tour Nairobi to promote the community’s agenda, potentially meeting with Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto.
Deputy Prime Minister Fredrick Adung’o announced that the Iteso community in Nairobi has been granted district autonomy, ensuring representation at ICU Council meetings. The ICU has also introduced awards for members with distinguished service, with former assistant minister Ekirapa being the first recipient.
Isaac Oprong commended Papa Emormor for elevating Ateker globally, highlighting his appointment as the chairman of African royalties. Concerns were raised about the lack of acknowledgment for the Iteso community’s contributions to Nairobi City’s socio-economic and political development. There was a call for the naming of a street, Ateker Road or highway, to recognize the community’s presence.
Oprong expressed worry about the absence of Iteso community representation in Arusha, Tanzania, since the establishment of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), signaling a need for a paradigm shift. Patrick Ataro believes Papa Emormor’s visit to Nairobi will enhance the community’s bargaining power and unity, addressing government oversight in job allocations for community members.
Ausi Emojong stressed the importance of engaging communities along the Kenya-Uganda border for cross-border trade facilitation, promoting economic development and market access. As organizing secretary, Ronald Ekisa facilitated the visit of the late Iteso Cultural leader Augustine Osuban to Nairobi, aiming to strengthen Iteso culture and commission the Iteso village in Kenya.
The speaker expressed respect for Teso groupings in Nairobi, including Kawangware and Karomata, with plans to unite them to strengthen the caucus, citing the newly allocated Nairobi Constituency.
