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.

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

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, Itesos 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 a 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. There are also Christians among them, both in Kenya and Uganda.

What Are Their Needs?

They need self-respect and cohesiveness. The Itesos need better schools, social amenities, and road development.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Itesos will wholly embrace the true God and put all their faith in him.
Pray for prosperity to come to the Teso land.
Pray for the Itesos to learn how to adjust to modern changes.
Pray that soon there will be Iteso disciples making more disciples throughout East Africa.

Text Source:   Joshua Project