We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
A controversial declaration by a Talai elder has ignited a political firestorm in the Rift Valley.
A controversial declaration by a Talai elder has ignited a political firestorm in the Rift Valley, pitting Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago against emerging power brokers in a high-stakes battle for regional supremacy.
Power abhors a vacuum, and in the Rift Valley, the jockeying for position is becoming lethal. Talai elder Christopher Koyogi threw a grenade into the mix by declaring Senator Mandago and Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno as the new "Kalenjin kingpins."
The declaration was meant to settle matters; instead, it has kicked up a storm. In a region where political hierarchy is almost sacred, such anointment without consensus is seen as a coup attempt.
The choice of Mandago and Ngeno is strategic but divisive.
Why now? The move is seen as a direct challenge to the current establishment. By elevating Ngeno, the elders are signalling a shift in the center of gravity towards the populous South Rift. This threatens the traditional power brokers who have held sway for decades.
Critics argue that kingpins are made by the people, not anointed by elders in backrooms. "You cannot impose a leader on the Kalenjin nation," one local analyst noted. "This will only fracture the vote."
This infighting is a microcosm of the broader succession politics gripping Kenya. As regional blocs fracture, the ability of the Rift Valley to vote as a single machine—its historic strength—is under threat. The "Kingpin" title is not just a badge; it is the keys to the kingdom, and everyone wants them.
"A declaration... has kicked up a storm in Rift Valley."
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago
Key figures and persons of interest featured in this article