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 Contenders

The choice of Mandago and Ngeno is strategic but divisive.

• Jackson Mandago: The abrasive, no-nonsense Senator has built a reputation as a defender of community interests, but his style alienates the polished elite.
• Johanna Ngeno: A firebrand from the South Rift, representing the Kipsigis voting bloc which has long felt marginalized by the North Rift's dominance.

The "Storm"

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."

The Bigger Picture

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."