I AM KER PAUL MBUYA. 1891 - 1981 Ker Paul Mbuya Akoko of Luo Union East Africa was born around 1891 in Kogweno clan of Karachuonyo Location Southern Nyanza. He served the Luo nation in various capacities as teacher, pastor,
senior chief of Karachuonyo, secretary of the African local native council of South Nyanza, and paramount cultural leader of the Luo nation in Eastern Africa. A file at the Kenya National Archives dated 17th June 1926 documents.
The British Administration in the native reserve was taking a new shape and a suitable assistant native chief was required in Karachuonyo Location to assist chief Okoth. The ag. DC South Kavirondo, Mr. S.O. Hodge had this to say about Paul Mbuya
among other candidates Mr. Samwel Dola Maira and Daniel Ojijo. Paul is a member of the local Native Council, he was a Baraza clerk for 6 months and Hut counter for 2 years. He has been a Seventh Day Adventist teacher and pastor for 11 years
and is highly spoken of by Mr. Lane the Superintendent of the SDA Mission at Kendu-Bay (Gendia).
He went further and said, "I have spoken to Mr. Lane about him and he states that he's a useful teacher, pastor and would loathe to let him go although he would do nothing to stand in the way of his advancement if he was chosen.
Chief Okoth had nothing against him at all but feels he might introduce too strong SDA element if appointed which might lead to some friction. Daniel Ojijo from Kanyajuok clan was not liked. It is said that in the past he caused a lot of trouble
and was deemed to be a local sort of Harry Thuku. Mr. Tate awarded him lashes and sentenced him to pay Sh. 500 on account of the trouble caused. Mr. Hodge reiterated. Due to above observations Mr. Samwel Dola was chosen instead of Paul Mbuya
He was left to continue with his good work at Kendu-Bay (Gendia SDA Mission). Paul Mbuya started shining later by becoming the chief of Karachuonyo.
He believed in both Christianity and Luo traditional Religion and that we all have one God even though we belong to different religions. He married two wives, had several children and wrote ethnographic books like "Luo kitgi gi timbegi." and "Richo kelo Chira" in 1938.
Those books are still very popular with the Luo Forklore. By the time of his death in 1981 he was "Ker" (ultimate moral or spiritual leader) of the Luos in Eastern Africa.
He was an influential figure who was knighted by the Queen of England as OBE and attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in England. He was very inspiring and worked towards a united Luo nation. RIP.