In Memory of Japuonj Aloys Afulo (1922-2006) Part Ib-I: Leadership in Yimbo-Kadimo (Kadimu?), Siaya County (Kenya) in the 20th Century

By Afullo Obiero CharlesAfullo Otieno AugustineAfullo Owino Peters, et al.

The naming of Yimbo has been as controversial as the leadership itself right from its founding. Initially inhabited by small Bantu tribes before the arrival of Ramogi III, the emigration of the first Cohort of the Luo to Southern Nyanza through the Lake saw a glaring gap in the area. Many Bantu clans came to reside there, including the Walwanga, the Wareje, the banyala (Jo mwalo), the Walowa, the Wagoma, among others. Therefore when Dimo crossed here from Alego where he had had a brief sojourn until the Ruath mishap, hell broke loose. He met the hen inhabitants who, according to protocol, were supposed to be acknowledged by any newcomer. Dime was up to a different game altogether: he did not wasn't to submit to anybody. he decided to make his own fire instead of asking the hosts for fire, which was the point the camel's back was broken. As expected, a fight broke up, with Dimo fihghting alongside his allies- the Wanyejra and the Kowil (Team warwowo), against a combined side comprising all the rest. For two days, there was a tie. On the third day, Dimo's first son, Julu Waregna was killed by the enemies. From then henceforth, Dimo easily beat the enemy, forcingmost, especially Walwanga and Wareje, out of the area. The Wagoma were fairly diplomatic, and reached a truce with Dimo- an agreement that the former would be source of girls to be maried by the Dimo men. In adition, they gave Dimo one of their girls for marriage to solemnize the truce. It is believed this lady was married in the house of Dimo's most courageous son, WEre, renamed Thuon for his bravery. Its is further believed that this Nyagoma is the mothe of Hajula's twins, Wamra and Adongo of Kawere. Long after dust had settled, Dimo took over the leadership of Yimbo, which was renamed Kadimo (the home of Dimo). This leadership was passed on along the family line until the turn of the 20th century when the colonial master came, and offered the leadership to Ngenya Jakowil (Also from the house of Dimo, courtesy of Team Warwowo). Ngenya refused, and this was soon passed on to the Ulwa of Kajongo, the second last son of Dimo. Olwa passed the mantle to his son..Anam Ulwa, who left it to his cousin Jairo Okelo....and this leadership was in the family line for some time until the arrival of Chief Ogutu, newly arrived from Alego Ulawe where he had been a sergeant of police. Sergent Ogutu ruled for only 5 but most progressive and memorable years (1928-1933) and left under very controversial circumstances, just like his immediate predecessor, Jacob Opuk who had acted for 6 months after the unprocedural ouster of Jairo Okelo after being falsely accused allegedly by Opuk.. It was later discovered that Jacob, the then acting chief, was the source of the false accusation of Jairo, leading to his disqualification. This gave rise to Chief Ogutu, who left for Ezekiel Onyango Oloo. Around this time (later 1930's to early 1940's), a movement called Ojwndo (Mixed up) was mooted in Nairobi by three leading lights of the Bantu inhabitants. Whereas this movement succeeded in breaking the Dimo dominance of the Kadimo leadership, as well as changing the name of the location to Yimbo, they also led to the confusion on the Team warwowo- especially the Wareje, who also got so confused in tnhia mud that they lost their nonro- and started calling themselves Jogoye ( the people of where the boats used to dock), and to some extent Kowil. When Chief Magowu advertised in 1970 for immigrants to come and occupy the vacant Yimbo land, a lot more of the other Luo (not Bantu any more) came to Kadimu. This book gives a detailed account of what transpired, when it did, and why it did. As we talk now, Yimbo is reportedly the most cosmopolitan (mixed culture and Luo tribes) than any other Luo Clan, only followed by the settlement schemes; it is a melting pot of cultural diversity that this book recommends should be declared by UNESCO as a centre of cultural diversity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1693359596
• ISBN13: 9781693359590
• Release Date: September 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 388 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"