Why Rift Valley politicians are fighting over kingpin role

A declaration by Talai elder Christopher Koyogi that Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and Emurua Dikir MP Johanna Ngeno were Kalenjin kingpins has kicked up a storm in Rift Valley.

Remarks by the Talai community vice chairman have triggered a succession battle to replace President William Ruto as Kalenjin political supremo.

Names of a number of politicians among them Mandago, Ngeno and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have popped up as possible successors of Ruto after his presidency.

CS Murkomen had said in Nandi in 2023 that he should not be mentioned in the kingpin debate.

Political figures in the region claim that a fierce political supremacy over who will succeed Ruto is intensifying.

There are also claims that constant bashing of a section of leaders by a faction led by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi in recent months was part of a political supremacy, especially among Kalenjin leaders.

A week ago, Koyogi who is in one of the two factions of Talai elders following a split over whether to coronate Ruto or Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, declared Mandago the kingpin of North Rift and Ngeno, a South Rift supremo, sparking debate in the political arena.

“I didn’t know that other people had said this before. Mandago, you are the kingpin of North Rift. Johanna Ngeno is the kingpin of South Rift,” Koyogi was heard saying in a video allegedly recorded when he visited to condole with Mandago following the demise of his mother Esther Lelei.

Mandago and Ngeno are spotted reacting cheerfully to Koyogi’s declaration.

“And when we say someone is a kingpin, no one should point fingers at him. If you want to fail, demean Mandago. He is now the leader of North Rift. Johanna Ngeno, bring South Rift together until it is united,” the Talai elder said.

The remarks have exposed deepening cracks among Ruto’s allies in the Rift Valley.

Kesses MP Julius Rutto said some leaders were being used to scuttle leaders with potential to rise to Ruto’s level.

Rutto, however, warns that jostling for the community’s top political ranks was premature since President Ruto was still holding the highest position.

“People are engaging in 2032 politics when it’s premature. Every community in the Rift Valley is waiting to produce the next kingpin. But there are some people who were elevated recently and they want to outshine others. We want to ask everyone to restrain their barking dogs,” the Kesses MP quipped.

Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot said it was a taboo among the Kalenjin community to attempt to inherit a leader when he is still holding the seat.

Cherorot said Kalenjin leaders should focus their attention and energies on Ruto’s re-election campaign next year.

“Some people have started running around. Stop what we are seeing. In Kalenjin we say, you can’t inherit an elder when he is still alive. We have the biggest hurdle of ensuring that Ruto gets a second term in 2027,” said Cherorot.

Kapseret MP Oscar dismissed the battle for the Kalenjin kingpin politics and asked Mandago to stop politics of endorsement.

“Even when William Ruto was given the mantle to lead the community, he did not endorse anybody,” said Sudi, adding that it was not the right time to fight over who becomes the next kingpin.

Ngeno, who was endorsed by Koyogi, said Rift Valley leaders should unite to secure Ruto’s second term instead of eyeing his replacement.

“Our biggest responsibility is to guard the crown that we already have. We should not waver knowing that we have the crown (presidency),” he said.

Nominated Senator Joyce Korir said, “the biggest responsibility is to seek support for Ruto as he eyes a second term. You can see other people declaring their support yet we are wrangling over inconsequential political supremacy.”

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said Ruto will suffer a reduced number of votes in the Rift Valley if leaders from the region continue with their supremacy battles.

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He said Kelenjin leaders were shifting their attention to 2032 instead of championing their people’s interests.

“I want to remind you that Ruto won the 2022 election with a small margin of 200,000 votes and 200,000 people did not vote for him in his home county of Uasin Gishu. He crossed the 50 percent plus one threshold by only 48,000 votes and we would have gone to a re-run,” Barasa said.

He added: “The resources and time you are using to battle over who is going to be a Kalenjin kingpin should be used to win the support of the 200,000 people who did not vote for Ruto in Uasin Gishu.”

“We have a big responsibility of ensuring that Ruto wins next year’s election with a margin of at least three million votes. Don’t take us back,” he went on to say.

According to Narok Senator Ledama OleKina, the infighting within Ruto’s home turf was palpable.

Olekina said leaders from the region should meet and iron out their differences.

“I want you as Kalenjin leaders to unite. I know there is an infighting among you, but shelve it. If you have to fight, lock yourselves in a room and square it out and come out showing solidarity,” Olekina said during the burial of Mandago’s mother on Tuesday.

Victor Kiprono, a youthful politician who has announced his intention to unseat Mandago in next year’s polls, said Ruto remains the community’s kingpin.

“The only kingpin that we recognize as a community is William Ruto and there is no other person. Ruto himself has said that he will not endorse anyone for any seat. He is clear that the people will make a decision,” he says.