This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
Comedian and radio host Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, recently married a Taita woman, sparking a heated debate on social media about the number of Luo men marrying outside their tribe.
On October 26, 2019, Jalang'o introduced his wife, Amina Chao, in stunning photos after they tied the knot in a lavish traditional wedding.
However, the move did not go down well with some people of the Luo community, with Luo men and women expressing worry about the number of successful men marrying outside the tribe.
Some Luo men faulted their Luo women, labeling them as hard-headed and arrogant, hence hard to deal with. Others claimed they found excessive partying, untidiness, and being too vocal as some of the repulsive characteristics of Luo women.
But the Luo women were not taking the bashing lying low. They termed the men who marry from outside the tribe as unfocused and weak, hence unable to handle strong opinionated women.
Some prominent Luo men who have married from outside the Luo tribe or had relationships include Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili aka Babu Owino, Radio Maisha presenter Nick Odhiambo, Late Fidel Odinga, Jalang'o, Erick Omondi, among others.
However, Jalang'o himself has waded into the issue, stating that the percentage of Luo men who married outside did not represent the whole Luo community.
”The same day I married my Taita wife, there are so many Luo women who were married to Luo men. This happens every day! Each and every weekend, we are called to MC and host weddings of Luo families' unions!! Out of maybe 1000 Luo men, maybe 1 or 2 like me marry out of our tribe,” he wrote.
He added, “If I was not Jalas, this would not happen! Can you even name 100 Luos that you know are married to other tribes? I guess you cannot but can count thousands of Luos married to Luos starting with your brothers! Help me welcome my wife home in peace! Be her sister and tell her about our amazing culture!”
