Kenya: Gospel singer bashed online for claiming twin was killed in a Luhya ritual killing

Kenyan Gospel singer Ali Mukhwana

Published: November 7, 2018
By: Annette Amondi – Ghetto Radio 

Gospel singer Ali Mukhwana found himself in trouble with  Kenyans online after claiming his twin was killed for him to survive. Mukhwana during a live interview said he had a twin who was killed in a luhya ritual killing.

Kenyans online descended on him with, demanding to know what luhya sub tribe he belongs to. Other online users called him out for tarnishing the luhya name saying there is no such ritual.

“Which Luhya culture is that? We have so many twins in Mumias who are even much older than this Mukhwana guy stop tarnishing our culture.” Said one user.

Other users were on his side saying it is considered a curse to have first born twins in some luhya clans.

“I can only put it the way I understand his testimony and being a luhyia, there are some clans that believes firstborn twins is a curse, mine included. So, it is true but NOT ALL Luhya clans. The way he put it was right, but our understanding and take on this matter is different. It was a belief in those days, now salvation & Christianity is fading it away, BUT IT EXISTS. Thanks Ali Mukhwana for putting this, though you never elaborated well for them. Your testimony is big my bro. Baraka kwako.” Wrote Victor Wambeo.

Source: Gospel singer bashed online for claiming twin was killed

Related article:

Gospel musician lynched for claiming twin was murdered in ritual killing

Published: November 5, 2018
By: Mwende Kasujja

Gospel musician Ali Mukhwana (second right) aftyer the interview on Citizen TV. PHOTO | COURTESY

Gospel musician Ali Mukhwana was lynched online on Subday after claiming that his twin was murdered in accordance to Luhya culture.

Mukhwana, during a live interview on Citizen TV’s Gospel Sunday show, said his twin brother had to be killed for him to survive.

Sceptical Kenyans online descended on him with, demanding for specifics of his sub tribe since the Luhya community is composed of 17 sub-tribes, most of whom do not share cultural practices.

Users felt the generalization of Luhya culture was dishonest of him.

Others said there is no Luhya culture that advocated for the killing of one twin.

The singer had to quickly defend himself saying he was a child and was only told the story by his mother.

‘Tarnishing our culture’

Eshichumah Reloaded Ingwee commented; “Which Luhya culture is that? We have so many twins in Mumias who are even much older than this Mukhwana guy stop tarnishing our culture.”

Doris Muila added; “My sister gave birth to twins, second pregnancy she gave birth to twins again, she is married to a luhya in Bungoma, the children are now big girls and a boy, so that’s not a Luhya culture but maybe your sub tribe culture.”

Victor Snr Wambeo wrote; “I can only put it the way I understand his testimony and being a luhyia, there are some clans that believes firstborn twins is a curse, mine included. So, it is true but NOT ALL Luhya clans. The way he put it was right, but our understanding and take on this matter is different. It was a belief in those days, now salvation & Christianity is fading it away, BUT IT EXISTS. Thanks Ali Mukhwana for putting this, though you never elaborated well for them. Your testimony is big my bro. Baraka kwako.”

Mukhwana in his defense said; “This happened long time ago when I was too young sir ni story hata mimi mwenyewe sikuwa najua niliambia na mamangu pia soi waluya wote hata my twin brother hakuzikwa kwetu alizikwa kwa wajomba watu sababu ya mila na desturi sir don’t judge me plz.”

Source: Gospel musician lynched for claiming twin was murdered in ritual killing

The Luhya (also known as Abaluyia or Luyia) are a Bantu ethnic group in Kenya and are the country’s second-largest ethnic group. Luhya refers to both the people and their language. There are 18 (and by other accounts, 19, when the Suba are included) tribes that make up the Luhya. The word Luhya or Luyia in some of the dialects means “clan”, and Abaluhya (Abaluyia) thus means “people of the clan”. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhya_people