KabilaEthnic groupsLuhyaKhayo
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Sub-tribe
Khayo
Omukhayo
LuhyaPatrilineal lineageOlukhayo3 clans documented
Language
Olukhayo
Lineage system
Patrilineal
Population
68,703
Type
Sub-tribe
About the Khayo

The Khayo is a sub tribe of the Luhya people of Kenya. They reside in Busia County, by the Kenya-Uganda border. Their Luhya neighbors are the Samia, Marachi, Wanga and Bukusu. The Bakhayo border the Bukusu on the East, the Republic of Uganda and Samias on the West, the Marachi on the South and the Wanga on the South East. On their north, they are bordered by the Iteso, a non-Luhya Nilotic people of Kenya. Abakhayo are one of the four Luhya sub tribes living in Busia County. The people are referred to as Abakhayo; their geographical location, Ebukhayo and their language, olukhayo. They share linguistic, cultural and historical value systems with Abamarachi, Abasaamia and Abanyala neighbours. Ebukhayo covers an area that comprises two constituencies each represented by an elected member of the national assembly in the Kenyan parliament.Tusind ta

Origin story & oral tradition
The Khayo (Abakhayo) settled in the Funyula area of present-day Busia County, adjacent to the Samia. They are considered closely related to the Samia and share similar cultural practices associated with the Lake Victoria basin. The Khayo are primarily farmers and fishermen. Their small territory is one of the most densely settled in western Kenya, and they have historically intermarried extensively with both the Samia and the Marachi.
How they identify
Person (singular)Omukhayo
People (plural)Abakhayo
HomelandEbukhayo
Language / dialectOlukhayo

A member introduces themselves: “Ndi Omukhayo — from the land of Ebukhayo.

Clans (3)
Sources
  • Were, Gideon. A History of the Abaluyia of Western Kenya (1967)
Parent ethnic group
Luhya
AbaLuyia
At a glance
NameKhayo
EndonymOmukhayo
Ethnic groupLuhya
TypeSub-tribe
LanguageOlukhayo
LineagePatrilineal
Population68,703
Sub-groups0 documented
Clans3 documented
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