DP Ruto coronation: Fall out as Talai elders expel member who opposed dawn ceremony

The Talai Council of Elders have now resolved to expel one of their members who last week dismissed as illegal their coronation of Deputy President William Ruto as the Kalenjin kingpin.

Christopher Koyogi was kicked out on the grounds of fostering disunity and openly defying the council’s decision after he – among others – on June 12 opposed the dawn ceremony saying they were not consulted.

Talai elders, in a press address issued at Kapsisiywa in Nandi on Tuesday, said the installation ceremony of DP Ruto as the Kalenjin community’s new kingpin was conducted within the cultural protocols recognized by the clan.

The council Chairman Retired Reverend Canon James Baasi said 22 out of 25 members appended their signatures to throw out Mr. Koyogi for tainting the image of the clan.

Rev. Baasi also noted that external forces were at play in interfering with the role of the Talai clan following the controversial dawn ceremony.

He further affirmed that the cultural activities undertaken were consistent with the Talai rites, adding that they invited the deputy president to attend the initiation process and take over leadership mantle following the death of retired president Daniel Moi.

The council Secretary General David Sulo stated that various sub-families of the clan – including Kapturgat, Kapsumet, Kapchesang, Mursoi – were involved in deliberation of the crowning process.