DP William Ruto Installed as Kalenjin Kingpin in Dawn Ceremony

The Talai Council of Elders has denied reports that Deputy President William Ruto visited them on Friday to seek cleansing and powers to protect himself from bad omen as well as harm from enemies.

The elders through their chairman Rev. James Baasi, a retired Anglican Church cleric, clarified that DP Ruto went to Kapsisiywa village in Nandi County to attend an abdication and accession ceremony.

During the ceremony, Baasi said, Ruto was formally installed as the Kalenjin kingpin in the wake of former President Daniel Arap Moi’s death.

He further noted that the 5 am traditional ceremony, which was blended with strong biblical symbols and prayers, lasted for one hour.

“According to Kalenjin tradition, one would naturally abdicate the enthronement upon their demise. After Moi’s death, the royal regalia now needed a suitable successor to be handed over to through a legitimate ceremony. Friday’s ceremony was however an abridged version blended with strong Christian/biblical symbols and prayers,” Rev. Baasi said on Sunday.

Baasi also defended the Talai clan against claims that it practices sorcery, black magic, and witchcraft.

“We know that the function started very early in the morning according to our culture and this locked many people from attending the ceremony but it is very sad to see people speculate and brand us as sorcerers,” he added.

The elders handed Ruto sacred Kalenjin leadership regalia known as Sambut, Kuutwet, Sharit, and Rungut in addition to Kumiat (honey) and a Kalenjin bible.

The elders said Sambut symbolizes inclusive leadership, Kuutwet represents authority, while Sharit is a symbol for shepherding. This now means DP Ruto is the sole leader bearing Kalenjin kingship mantle.