All set for 46th annual Maragoli Cultural Festival as Mudavadi inspects venue

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi shares a light moment with man at his homestead in Sabatia on Christmas Eve/HANDOUT

All is set for the 46th annual Maragoli Cultural Festival, which will be held in Mbale town, Vihiga County, on Boxing Day, drawing thousands of revellers, cultural enthusiasts and leaders from across the country.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will be among the dignitaries expected to grace the festival on Friday, continuing a long-standing tradition of national leaders participating in the iconic cultural event.

Mudavadi visited Mbale Grounds, the venue of the celebrations, where he inspected preparations after receiving a briefing from the festival’s planning committee.

Speaking during the inspection, Mudavadi underscored the significance of the festival, which has been held consistently for more than four decades.

“46 years is a big achievement. As we reflect on the past years, we also have to think of the years to come. When the youth understand that these festivals have deeper and stronger roots, then we are on the correct path,” he said.

He added that the festival was founded with a clear vision of unity through culture.

“We all need to appreciate that we are standing on the shoulders of our fore fathers who thought through this cultural event with a mind of uniting us as a people using culture,” Mudavadi noted.

This year’s festival is being held under the theme “uvwani ni miandu,” loosely translated to mean “leadership is wealth.”

According to the organisers, the theme is intended to resonate with the younger generation as they prepare to take up leadership roles within society and beyond.

The theme builds on last year’s message, “komenya m’bugwi” (living in new lands), which focused on adapting and thriving in new environments while honouring ancestral roots.

Highlighting the expectations for the event, Mudavadi said the festival would offer valuable lessons, particularly to young people.

“Tomorrow’s event will be big. I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone who will have an opportunity to attend this prestigious festival where we will learn a lot from our elders on leadership, how leadership is nurtured, how it is progressive, what responsibilities come with leadership at various levels and what are the consequences when one abuses the roles of the leadership bestowed upon him/her,” he explained.

The Maragoli Cultural Festival is one of Kenya’s most iconic cultural gatherings, held annually on December 26 in Mbale town.

It serves both as a vibrant cultural showcase and a social reunion for the Maragoli people and other Luhya sub-tribes. Beyond the festivities, the event plays a critical role in preserving indigenous customs, songs, proverbs, foods and rites of passage.

Founded in the 20th century and institutionalised under the Vihiga Cultural Society, the festival was initially aimed at preserving Maragoli traditions.

The late Moses Mudavadi, a respected community leader and father of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, was the festival’s first patron, helping elevate it to a national cultural event.

Over the years, it has grown to include other Luhya sub-tribes such as the Tiriki, Idakho, Kisa and Bunyore, cementing its place as a symbol of shared Luhya identity.