Deputy President William Ruto's handlers returned a Tugen traditional shawl owned by a 93-year-old Eldama Ravine elder.
The traditional regalia was reportedly returned days after it went missing after being used during the coronation of DP Ruto as an elder.
Jonah Taalam, who had borrowed it months ago returned the regalia to the old man Kimitei Kiplagat on Saturday evening a week after it went missing.
Taalam, however, was taken to task by elders who claimed the regalia was used for the ceremony without Kimitei’s knowledge during a six hour meeting where he apologised to the elders.
[caption caption="Kimitei Kiplagat receives his regalia from Jonah Taalam"]
[/caption]
He revealed that the regalia was taken by the Deputy President’s handlers and stashed in one of his vehicles and it was later realized that the attire had been taken away against Kimitei's expectations as he hoped to have it back after the ceremony.
“It happened, the regalia was used while performing a cultural dance I had it but was approached by some people who asked to have it to coronate the DP. I later asked where it was and was told to keep silent, I was shocked and has never been well since then,” Taalam explained.
“The regalia belongs to Kimitei, what is going on and what you hear some stating that the old man is a liar is not true, I call upon people spreading such rumours to stop and respect the old man,” he added.
Kimitei who looked pleased had a chance to inspect the regalia which he termed as a treasure to him.
He further maintained that he did not hold a grudge on anyone and wished he had been approached by the elders to have the regalia used in coronation and he would have advised accordingly.
[caption caption="DP Ruto being coronated as an elder"]
[/caption]
The return of the regalia was not only a sigh of relief to Kimitei but other village elders who were worried, revealing that the attire was the only one in the area used during traditional ceremonies.
