This organisation sought to create, expand and govern a general cultural identity among Luo people in East Africa.
Luo people are a Nilotic ethnic group native to western Kenya and the Mara Region of northern Tanzania in East Africa.
[1] The Luo Union was one of several welfare organisations started during the colonial period in East Africa which aimed at building broad cultural unity.
This organisation played a crucial role in creating a collective sense of identity and unity amongst Luo people after the Second World War.
[2][3][4] The early 20th century witnessed mass migrations of people from their ethnic homelands to cities and farms across East Africa for work.
The colonial government encouraged this migration from western Kenya as this part of the country was deemed unsuitable for European settlement.
Tens of thousands of people moved from these areas into Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala and Dar es Salaam and various farms across the region.
The welfare function of the Union was borne out of necessity as members and officials provided scarce social services to cater for funeral expenses, capital for businesses and fees for schooling.
The Union received support from the colonial government which encouraged ethnic based organisations so long as they avoided politics.
[3][4] The Union continued to connect the growing Luo diaspora in East Africa, providing in some capacity, social and economic safety nets for members as well as opportunities to interact.
Key aspects of the constitution included the location of the Union headquarters (Kisumu), its membership, aims and objectives.
In the pre-independence period, colonial authorities encouraged and supported the Luo Union as it was perceived to be loyal and reputable.
In the post-independence period, the union was accused of being a tribal organisation which served as a breeding ground for divisive ethnicity, in conflict with the governments nation building process.