Teso North Member of Parliament Oku Kaunya has expressed concern over the rapid decline of the Teso language and culture, vowing to take deliberate steps to reverse the trend.
Addressing children who had undergone a month-long training on Teso culture and language at Elalai Primary School in Ang’urai East Ward on Tuesday, Kaunya called for a paradigm shift to safeguard the community’s cultural heritage.
Kaunya, who also serves as the Iteso community spokesperson, cited his recent visits to Iteso communities living in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, where he observed alarming levels of cultural erosion.
“I was shocked to discover that many Iteso living in the diaspora are using foreign names such as Wasike and Wamalwa. Worse still, they hardly speak the Teso language or practice our culture,” Kaunya said.
The legislator announced plans to deploy teachers to Iteso-populated areas outside Teso North, particularly during school holidays, to train children on Teso language and cultural practices.
“I have undertaken to ensure our children are taught the Teso language and culture for posterity, so that we continue to identify and confirm ourselves proudly as Iteso,” he added.
Kaunya revealed that children who completed the training will be assessed through question-and-answer sessions during upcoming cultural events, including the Kakapel Cultural Festival on December 26, 2025, and the Elalai Cultural Festival on December 31, 2025.
The MP noted that the decline of Iteso culture in Kenya—including language, traditions, and social practices—is driven by several factors. These include assimilation into other cultures, Westernization and modern lifestyles, weak intergenerational transmission of cultural values, language loss, economic pressures and migration, changing cultural practices, and religious and social transformation.
Among those who facilitated the training was retired Chamasiri Location Chief Masai Kaunya, who guided the learners through practical lessons in Ateso, covering parts of the body, names of wild animals, months of the year, days of the week, common diseases, and appropriate greetings for morning, afternoon, and evening.
