Elders from the Talai clan, which is part of the larger Kalenjin community, have rejected the ceremony that was held to coronate Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking to the media on Friday, June 11, the elders poked holes into the ritual that was conducted on the morning of Saturday, June 6 in Kapsisiywa, Nandi County.
Led by Talai clan vice-chair Christopher Koyogi, the elders stated that the right procedure was not followed.
The ceremony was conducted by young men who did not know what they were doing. When you promise money, they can do whatever you want them to do,” he criticised.
All the elders know. I am the vice-chair but I wasn’t aware of the ceremony. They invited me at the last moments but I said I could not involve myself in something I wasn’t a part of,” Koyogi added.
“The deputy president is like our son and we love him but he was misled,” another elder spoke.
Maybe the council of elders should meet and decide whether to repeat the ceremony because nothing was achieved.
Kenya’s first president Jomo Kenyatta was taken through the ceremony as was his successor the late Daniel Moi.
According to Kalenjin tradition, one would naturally abdicate the leadership of the Kalenjin community upon their demise.
Many have questioned whether the ritual was in contrast to DP Ruto’s strong Christian faith, with lawyer Donald Kipkorir claiming that the ceremony was a form of witchcraft.
The deputy president has on several occasion attacked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his cultural beliefs and practices.
“Wakati Uhuru Kenyatta anapanga tujenge daraja ya urafiki na undugu na umoja wa wakenya anasema tuko pamoja, ati yule mganga anasema Tialala ati sijui Tibim (laughter from the crowd). Sasa mtu ya Uganga na uichawi atashindana na mtu ya Mungu namna gani?(When Uhuru Kenyatta is planning how we are going to build friendships and brotherhood and unity among Kenyans, he says ‘tuko pamoja’, meanwhile that witch doctor is saying ‘Tialala’ or ‘Tibim’ (laughter from the crowd). So how will a witch doctor compete with a God fearing person?),” Ruto taunted Raila.
The Talai clan has continued to point out discrepancies that marred DP William Ruto's coronation saying the right procedure was not followed #KTNNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/4ekr4SUpaY
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) June 12, 2020
