PLO Lumumba Walks Off Stage After Being Asked to Pause Speech for Governor Nyong'o

Professor PLO Lumumba walked off stage during a presentation in Kisumu after he was asked to pause his speech to allow Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, who had arrived late, to take his seat.

Lumumba was speaking at the 18th edition of the TICH Annual Scientific Congress 2026 held at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall when an announcer approached him and asked him to stop his presentation temporarily for the governor's arrival.

The renowned lawyer and pan-Africanist, who was addressing challenges facing Africa's medical research sector including limited access to research materials, appeared displeased by the interruption. He questioned why the governor's late arrival had to interrupt an ongoing discussion, saying such practices were part of the problems holding Africa back.

Lumumba said the governor knew about the meeting in advance and had chosen to arrive late, disrupting proceedings. He then paused his speech and walked off the stage.

Lumumba, whose full name is Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, is widely known for his speeches on African leadership, governance and the rule of law and previously served as the founding director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. The congress had brought together leaders, researchers and medical practitioners to share knowledge on innovative, community-led approaches to achieving the 2030 health and climate Sustainable Development Goals.