Iteso in Kenya

Introduction / History

The Kenyan Iteso people are an extension of their Ugandan counterparts in that they were merely separated by the partition of East Africa during the historic scramble and partition of Africa just like the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania and the Oromo of Kenya and Ethiopia. They are among the Plain Nilotic groups closely related to the Turkana, Karamojong, Toposa and the Maa groups of the Maasai and Samburu.

The Iteso people are located in Western Province of Kenya currently in Busia County which is in South of Mt. Elgon. Still, a large number of them inhabit parts of Bungoma and even Trans Nzoia Counties which are dominated by the Bukusu of the Luhya community.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Iteso people are the only Plains Nilotic people whose lifestyles underwent drastic changes. Having been pastoralists since time immemorial, these people are now the most successful farmers in both Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In recent years, they have changed much of their lifestyle. They used to exhume the dead after some time because of population pressure on their land and they no longer have bushes to dump the bones of people who died long time ago. Now they use cement graves -- a sign that they have embraced new ways of dealing with the dead. They believe in one God (Akuju) and also in life after death.

What Are Their Needs?

Promotion of self-respect and cohesiveness are two of their needs. Improvement of schools and other social amenities, development of roads, urbanization, and governance are all needed.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Iteso can wholly embrace the true God and stop practicing witchcraft and other harmful beliefs.
Pray for physical and spiritual prosperity to come to the Iteso land.
Pray for the rejuvenation of ways of doing things through the enrichment of their mindset, and for people to become more hardworking and productive in countering the challenges of life.

Text Source:   Joshua Project