Job Osiako’s Coronation Signals a Shift in Abamutete Power Architecture

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 6 December 2025 - The coronation of former Kenya Institute of Mass Communication Principal Job Osiako as elder and spokesman of the Abamutete community has injected fresh political energy into Vihiga County’s cultural-political landscape.

The ceremony, held at Ebwali Grounds in Emabungo Ward, was more than a traditional rite; it was a carefully choreographed affirmation of authority, identity and succession within a community long recognised as a significant political incubator.

The Abamutete people, concentrated in Bunyore’s Luanda Sub-county, have historically produced some of the region’s most influential figures, among them ODM deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, former Foreign Affairs assistant minister the late Sheldon Muchilwa, former Emuhaya MP the late Eric Khasakhala, and the late Byrum Makokha, and former government spokesman and Ambassador Manoah Esipisu.

In this context, Osiako’s installation is not merely symbolic—it situates him within a lineage of leaders whose influence has shaped both local and national politics.

Osiako, who also serves as a pastor, framed his new role in both spiritual and cultural terms.

His acceptance remarks underscored humility and duty, pledging to uphold values central to the Abamutete identity.

“It is a great honour to be crowned as my Abamutete community elder. I will deliver my duties diligently. I will not let you down, my people,” he said, setting the tone for a leadership style that merges moral authority with traditional legitimacy.

For Senator Osotsi, the ceremony presented an opportunity to articulate the political and cultural weight of such an installation.

He described Osiako’s coronation as a reaffirmation of the community’s heritage at a time when traditional leadership structures are increasingly intersecting with electoral politics. Osotsi stressed that elders in the Abamutete structure play a decisive role—serving as custodians of unity, advisers on major communal issues and moral anchors in moments of political turbulence.

“The installation of an elder is not merely ceremonial but a solemn endorsement of leadership grounded in wisdom, integrity and service,” he noted, emphasising that Osiako’s ascension renews confidence in the community’s governance systems.

Political observers see Osotsi’s presence—and endorsement—as a strategic signal. With Vihiga’s politics becoming more competitive, aligning with respected traditional figures allows elected leaders to consolidate influence while maintaining cultural legitimacy.

More from Kenya

Kindiki Urges Kenyans to Turn Cultural Diversity Into a Force for National Unity

Opinion - Africa Must Stand Tall, No More Bowing to External Powers

Osiako’s coronation therefore positions him as both a spiritual-cultural leader and a potential political influencer capable of shaping public opinion within the 18 houses that make up the Abamutete community.

Luanda MP Dick Maungu, who also attended, injected a development-oriented message into the ceremony.

Praising Osiako’s character and wisdom, Maungu framed the new elder’s leadership as a service-driven mandate.

He also used the gathering to rally elders around combating alcohol, a persistent social problem in Luanda and its surroundings that threatens youth productivity and community stability.

His remarks linked traditional authority to contemporary governance challenges, subtly suggesting that elders like Osiako must become partners in social reform.

Maungu further committed to returning to Ebwali to spearhead electricity expansion and school infrastructure improvements—development pledges likely aimed at reinforcing his political presence while aligning with the community’s expectations of leadership.

The coronation therefore marks more than a cultural milestone. It underscores the enduring fusion of tradition and politics in Western Kenya, where elders still wield significant moral capital.

For the Abamutete, Osiako’s elevation signals a renewed leadership framework grounded in continuity, experience and cultural pride.

For Vihiga County, it may shape political alignments and community mobilisation ahead of future political contests.In the broader landscape, Osiako’s new role places him at the crossroads of cultural stewardship and political influence—a position that could redefine Abamutete leadership in the years to come.