Bethwell Ogot

Prof. B.A Ogot,EBS, as he is commonly known is the Chancellor of Moi University and has previously taught at Makerere University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and Maseno University.

Prof Ogot is founder president of Historical Association of Kenya, First Director of International Louis Leakey Memorial Institute for African pre-history and former Secretary- General of East African Institute of Social and Cultural Affairs and later the Secretary-General for the Institutes' publishing firm, the East African Publishing House.He has published over 30 books and written several articles and chapters in various books majorly relating to African History.

Apart form the field of accademia, he was a member of the East African Legislative assembly(EALA) and further chaired several state corporations including the National Oil Corporation.

 Honors

UNESCO'S gold medal

Avero's medal 

Distinguished Africanist Award (2001)holder from the African Studies Association of U.S.A and Canada

Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS)  

           the list is longer!!!

This great son of Siaya County was born in 1929 in Luanda, Gem Constituency and was educated at Luanda, Ambira, Maseno School , Makerere University College,the University of St.Andrews and the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies and is married to renowned author Grace Akinyi Ogot ( Nyar Asembo)

Adongo by John Junior still hits Siaya big

The reigning Kenyan rhumba king John (Johny) Junior is toping the music chart lists of rhumba and benga music charts again but in a biger way this time. The Nairobi' club Melladen based artist(born in Ugenya) credited for top hits that include Herana, Calisto Baba and Osiepe has just released a new hit, Adongo
John Junior's new release Adongo  Nyar Nango  is by any standards an educative song seeking to encourage ladies to be faithful in their relationship. He uses this song to remind the ladies that men are different and they should love them for what they are and neither what they own or have. Added with a world class rhumba tunes the song comes with, i can never shy from recommending it to the music lovers all over the world.

the song features upcoming artistes Mali Ya Mungu and Otieno Ja Mboka.

Ohangla artists from siaya county in a popularity coup

After a very long time of taking the back seat in the ohangla music industry( a popular music genre among the people of luo nyanza) artists from Siaya County are slowly coming back to top music charts including in Ramogi fm a popular radio station broadcasting in dholuo.

“The emergence of creative artists from other counties such as Osogo Winyo, Onyi Papa Jay, Daudi Ja Migori,Tony and Jack Nyadundo and Aboy Landlord meant that they are swept to the background,” says Mr. Were, a resident of Gem Kodiaga.

A casual visit to popular joints playing Ohangla music will show you that the Ohangla produced by siayians as they are popularly known are getting an increased following. Some of the popular Ohangla artists from this county include;

Onyango Alemo

The tall framed artist( John Onyango Adikiny) is undeniably the latest sensation in the Ohangla Industry and boasts of some great hits like “tho luro and night oberana”.

The Nairobi based artist went to Luoka Primary School in Ugenya  and is the last born of ten and claims to have done casual labor jobs in Nairobi’s slums before rising to fame.

Onyango Alemo under worked with various artists before venturing on his own as follows;

     -was a drumist with Tony Nyadundo’s ohangla band

     -later joined Oduor odhialo, a Kibera based artiste

     -his nickname ‘alemo’ was tailored while he was a member of a church choir in Ugenya.

Emma Jalamo

He of the hits like ‘Maselina’ and ‘Nyakoyugi’ is another new kid on the block and his fame is rising too quick.  Emma Jalamo hails from Magoya in Ugenya District.

Otieno Aloka

Though he have been around in this industry for as long as I can remember, but when he released his new song ‘kanungo’, it was clear that he had taken his music to the next level with ‘kanungo’ being a hit in entertainment joints in Kenya.

Did you know that...

image of conje in a training session

Kenyan renown female boxer Congestina Achieng' a.k.a Conje or the fist of stone is from Siaya Couty. She was born on 20 October 1977 in Umiru village, Yala, Gem Constituency in siaya county.