By Reuben Olita
The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) today, November 16 2024, launched the Tuko Mashinani Welfare Services registered under the Ministry of Social Development aimed at cushioning the Iteso Community in Kenya and Uganda from inherent challenges related to huge burial expenses of its members.
Anglican Church of Kenya Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude officially launched Tuko Mashinani Welfare Services to herald a new dawn for the group which draws its membership from Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking during the launch of the Welfare group at the Chamasiri Anglican Church of Kenya in Teso North Sub County, Bishop Okude became the first member of the group, which has start up membership of 2221 of ICU from Eastern Region.
The ICU Minister for Public Works and Transport Okwara Ekirapa said the launch of the Welfare Services followed consulations with their cultural leader Emomor Paul Sande Emolot.
The ICU Minister said the services rendered shall be worth Ksn100, 000 but subject to review periodically by the delegates Council, noting that the amount paid is Ksh3000 for a couple only or Ksh.3, 600 annually to include four children.
” Death is inevitable, thus the need by members from the Iteso community in Kenya and Uganda to join it enmasse,” Bishop Okude said, urging members to own it through the initiative of the clan chairmen.
He added: ” Although the ICU bereavement Welfare does not carter for food and printing of funeral programme, he said the Ksh100,000 cover will give those who succumb to various ailments decent burials.”
The brainchild of worthwhile idea was ICU Minister for Transport and Public Works, Ikomolo Luka Dungo clan chairman Deogratius Owaya and his Ipasama counterpart, Eng’ong’o Olubayi in the ceremony devoid of politicians.
Mr Okwara said the services to be rendered include mortuary bill, and body preparation amounting to Ksh10,000, body dressing (Ksh4,000), coffin (Ksh25,000), and hearse (Ksh10,000).
Others are Gazebo (Ksh1,500), red carpet (1,000), lowering gear (Ksh3,000), Public address system (Ksh10,000), dressed gazebo chairs (Ksh500), orderlies-2–( Ksh2,000), chairs ( Ksh 9,000), tents Ksh18,000), Transport of tents and chair ( Ksh3,000), and officiator(Ksh3,000).
The Minister said 34 job opportunities will be created, including one for the chief executive officer, adding that Ksh50 per member for ICU leadership and Ksh 100 for ICU executive.
Mr Eng’ong’o said a man married to one wife will pay Ksh300 monthly with those with two wives to pay Ksh350 and those with three wives paying Ksh400.
The certificate dated October 30, 2024, was duly registered by the Directorate of Social Services Development pursuant to and in accordance with the provision of the Community Registration Act No 30 of 2022.
Emormor cultural leader Paul Sande Emolot, in a speech, read on his behalf by Kennedy Eyou from Soroti Archdeacon, said poverty was the main contributing factor that had seen some families sell their land.
Emormor urged the Iteso community to promote culture and involve women in cultural activities, regretting that Teso culture was diminishing. He urged parents to educate their children who are tesos of tomorrow on the importance of knowing their language.
Mr Owaya narrated how they were tasked, on the need to form a Welfare group, and how the three of them took the research to Papa Emormor, which he gave a clean bill of health.
