Isaac Ruto’s installation as Kipsigis spokesman splits elders

The elevation of Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto as Kipsigis spokesman is dividing Kipsigis elders down the middle, given the political implications the move comes with.

There are those who felt that the ceremony should not have been twinned with a political rally especially one graced by opposition leaders.

National Super Alliance (Nasa)  co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula witnessed the installation.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, MPs including Elijah Lagat, Zakayo Cheruiyot and Johana Ngeno were also present.

INSTALLATION

But the Kipsigis Myoot Council of Elders now says the installation was political and has asked members of the community to ignore the elevation.

They say it is only their body (Myoot) that is mandated to install elders of the community and not any other body.

Bishop Paul Leleito, a member of the council, is among those who felt the installation should have been withheld for a few weeks.

 “The installation should have been withheld until the General Election is dispensed with. This is a political season and the people are not united,” he says.

KIPSIGIS AFFAIR

The bishop adds: “There was no convincing reason to hold the ceremony and a rally at the same time.”

 He said the matter should have been an exclusively Kipsigis affair and was supposed to have been held at the historic Kapkatet stadium in the neighbouring Kericho county.

Bishop Leleito stated: “For one to be installed  as an elder of the community, there are  many   qualities to be looked at before this is done and we doubt whether the clans association has considered them”

However, the Kipsigis Clans Association chairman Joel Kimeto who presided over the ceremony held on July 1, maintained that Governor Ruto had been properly installed and is now one of the community elders.

TRADITIONS

 “He will sit with elders and chart the way forward on various matters and the decisions made will now be communicated to the public through one channel,” said Mzee Kimetto, who is also a researcher on Kipsigis community traditions and migration.

Mr Kimetto said the decision to install Ruto as a spokesman was arrived at after an elaborate process with a series of consultative meetings held by elders in the South Rift region.

“When the decision was finally made, we dispatched six elders to go and break the news to the governor and request him to take up the mantle.

He asked for time to consult his family and clan elders and seek their concurrence on the same. He came back to us with a confirmation after a month,” Mr Kimetto said.

POPULAR

For one to be considered for such a position, he must be brave and popular among the community members. He is expected to selflessly work for the community.

Mr Kimetto explained that there was nothing wrong with the ceremony being held in Bomet, noting that members of the community at the function were drawn from Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet and Narok counties with elders from the Maasai, Luo, Luhya and other Kalenjin communities having been invited to witness the installation.

 “Those claiming Raila and the other opposition leaders should not have been invited to the meeting should be reminded that the same Raila attended the installation of Deputy President William Ruto as an elder some years back,” said Mr Wilson Sigei, a former Managing Director of the Nyayo Tea Zones.

SPOKESMAN

“The Nandi, Marakwet, Sabaot, Keiyo and Sengwer have their own spokesmen alongside the Luo and the Luhya communities.

There is nothing wrong with the Kipsigis having their spokesperson,” said Mzee William Kettienya, a former chairman of the Kenya National Library Services.

There have been two such installations in the past: That of former powerful Cabinet minister during Daniel arap Moi’s Kanu regime, the late Kipkalya Kones, and former Education Minister, the late Dr Taitta arap Towett.

INDEPENDENT-MINDED

Mr Kones was until his demise in 2013 an independent-minded and bold leader, whose utterances at times bordered on war mongering but nonetheless remained a respected Kalenjin leader who was known to have been generous to a fault.

As an elder, Mr Ruto is now expected to lead in championing the rights of the community in the socio-economic and political front, together with other elders.

He is defending his seat on Chama Cha Mashinani ticket against Jubilee party nominee Dr Joyce Laboso.