Renowned legal scholar and orator, Professor P L O Lumumba, walked off the stage during a conference in Kisumu after organisers asked him to pause his speech to usher in Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.

The incident, which has been circulating on social media, captures the law professor delivering his speech at the conference when he was approached on stage and asked to hold on to welcome the governor.

The visibly angry professor said it was unfair for the governor’s arrival to interrupt his speech.

“I am now being stopped because the governor is coming. And that is part of the African problem.

“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?”

He continued, “I’ll 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 then walked off the stage.

The incident happened during the 18th TICH Annual Scientific Conference, held at the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre in Kisumu.

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Prof Lumumba was addressing the conference on Africa’s persistent struggle to access vital research and research materials when organisers asked him to pause his speech as the governor arrived.

The incident has also reignited debate over Kenya’s long-standing VIP culture, where the arrival of a senior political leader can sometimes take precedence over an ongoing programme.

In public life, particularly in Africa, the arrival of a senior politician is often accompanied by formal acknowledgements, pauses in proceedings and a shift in attention towards the visiting leader.

Prof PLO Lumumba couldn't take the nonsense of his speech being interrupted because some politician was arriving late - he walked off, immediately. But not before letting his feelings known. pic.twitter.com/z3CpltGFrk

— THEE ALFA HOUSE (@thee_alfa_house) September 10, 2026

'This is the problem with Africa' - PLO Lumumba walks off stage during presentation after being asked to stop to welcome Governor Nyong’o pic.twitter.com/0SgMwM9MBC

— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) September 10, 2026