Prof Lumumba walks off stage after being asked to pause speech for governor

Renowned legal scholar and orator Prof PLO Lumumba walked off a conference stage in Kisumu after organisers asked him to pause his speech to allow Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o to be ushered into the venue.

The incident took place during the 18th TICH Annual Scientific Conference at the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre in Kisumu, leaving audience watching in surprise.

Prof Lumumba was delivering a keynote address on Africa’s persistent challenges in accessing vital research and research materials when organisers interrupted him to announce the governor’s arrival.

“And that is part of the African problem,” he told the audience following the interruption.

“I’m now being stopped because the governor is coming. What is important, is it what we are saying or that the governor is coming?”

Prof Lumumba said the interruption illustrated the very problem he had been discussing. “I will stop, but this is the kind of thing that holds Africa back. The governor knew that we had a meeting; he chose to come to interrupt, and we were here celebrating. I’ll stop,” he said.

He then stepped away from the microphone and left the stage as the governor was being ushered into the venue and greeted attendees.

A short video of the incident has since circulated online, prompting discussion about political protocol and the treatment of intellectual and academic spaces.

The episode has also renewed debate over Kenya’s VIP culture, in which the arrival of senior political figures can sometimes lead to programmes being paused and attention being redirected towards the visiting official.

Such protocol is common at public events, particularly in Africa, where senior political figures are often formally acknowledged when they arrive.

For some observers, Prof Lumumba’s reaction reflects concerns about whether political status should take precedence over proceedings at events focused on academic and scientific discussion.

Bennett Owino backed Prof PLO Lumumba’s decision, saying he was right to object to the disruption.

“It is now time we stop treating these politicians as gods,” he said. Owino said politicians often arrive at funerals and other public events to find proceedings paused as they are ushered into the venue.

“Prof Lumumba has been blessed with very educative speeches, which should not be stopped just because a politician has been noticed. I totally support him,” he said.

However, Jorge Vencedor disagreed, arguing that humility should take precedence over ego.

“Humility over ego always. PLO shouldn’t take things so personally. Wouldn’t PLO want the governor to hear his speech?” he said.

Ondari Bonmax also voiced his support for Prof Lumumba.
“I listen a lot to PLO Lumumba. This guy is among the few Pan-Africanists we have left. On this one, I support him fully. It is time we stopped treating politicians as gods,” he said.