Leaders from Nandi Community have accused President William Ruto of sidelining them during the recent cabinet reshuffles.
The leaders said despite overwhelmingly voting for President William Ruto, he has deliberately left them out when it comes to sharing the national cake.
Speaking yesterday evening at a Nairobi Hotel, the leaders said its unfair that the entire Counties of Nandi and Uasin Gishu have no cabinet secretary.
“It’s very sad that none of our sons and daughters have been appointed to the cabinet. We have so many professionals from the Nandi community who live in Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia. As a community, we feel sidelined,” said Meshack Kiprop from Kapsabet.
The leaders said that the cabinet has people from Kericho, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet and all communities from Rift Valley are represented with the exception of the Nandi.
The Nandi leaders also warned that President William Ruto risks being a one term President
Some of the leaders who hail from the Talai and Kapchepkendi clans of the Nandi Community said during the installation of President William Ruto as the Kalenjin elder and spokesperson, not all of the communities’ instruments of power were handed over to him.
In 2020, the Talai elders crowned the then DP William Ruto a Kalenjin leader.
This helped him become the President after the elders helped consolidate the Kalenjin nation to rally behind him.
However, the leaders insist that what was given to President Ruto were “partial blessings” meant to secure the Presidency at that time.
The elders said for President Ruto to retain power and consolidate the whole Kalenjin Nation behind him in 2027, he needs to go back to the Talai and Kapchepkendi elders to be given the full blessings.
In January 2021, the then Baringo Senator Gideon Moi was also installed as a Kalenjin elder by Talai elders.
During the ceremony, Gideon was handed the community’s instruments of power and given the mandate to look for the country’s leadership.
However, some elders argued that the instruments had already been given to President William Ruto and what was given to Gideon Moi couldn’t work.
The two leaders were angling for the community’s leadership after the death of former President Daniel Moi.
Some of the instruments given out during the coronation are Sambut(a shield with a leopard skin), Rungut (a club), Nogirwet (a leadership staff), Sharit (an ordinary stick), Ngecheret (a three-legged stool), Kipkaliangit (a flywhisk) and Kutwet (a monkey-skin hat).
It is believed the Talai clan members possess mystic powers and whatever they handle and bless or curse always come to pass.
The clan is held in high esteem among the Kalenjin and neighboring communities.
In many occasions, individuals seeking leadership positions stream to their villages for blessings.
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