Why special prayers for Ruto, sang will be held at historic shrine

Kalenjin elders and church leaders will today lead politicians and residents of Rift Valley in prayers for Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Sang, who are facing crime against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The prayers will be held at the  Kiptororo shrine on the edge of the Mau Forest where selected elders from the Kalenjin sub-tribes will converge this morning to make sacred offerings to the gods before an interdenominational prayer service later in the afternoon.

The shrine is located at the exact place where Koitalel arap Samoei, the revered Nandi traditional leader, prophesied that a “black snake” that spits fire would wind its way past Nandi land and disrupt people’s lives. The snake would later turn out to be the Kenya-Uganda railway.

Koitalel led the Nandi in an 11-year resistance against the British construction of the railway. Ruto and Sang come from the Nandi sub-tribe.

According to Paul Chirchir, one of the meeting’s organisers, a respected Kipsigis elder will play a leading role during the sacred prayers supported by elders from Nandi, Tugen, Pokot and Sabaot communities.

He said Ruto and Sang are expected to attend the function alongside several political leaders from across the country.

Asked why the organisers picked the spot, Chirchir said: “The shrine is symbolic to the Kalenjin nation. In the past, our fathers have offered serious prayers here to try and intercede on behalf of the community when things are tough.”

He said similar prayers have been held in the past when the nation was hit by drought, with   elders saying prayers and offering sacrifices to God. It is not clear when the last prayer was offered here, although reports indicate it was 118 years ago.

“This ICC issue is becoming a major threat to our community. We hope this one will usher in a new chapter in our land, the dragon has to leave our leaders,” said Chirchir.

He said elders will stand in for the Deputy President and former radio presenter in case the duo will not make into the forest.

The region has been jolted by a ruling delivered by ICC judges on August 19, allowing the prosecution to use recanted statements in the trial against Ruto and Sang.

The Kuresoi meeting will be followed by another in Mt Elgon. Bishop Jackson Kosgei of Worldwide Church says church leaders will converge at Kiptororo cereal’s ground for the main function.

“The shrine is exclusively meant for elders but the prayer function is open for everybody, an altar can be a Christian or traditional temple,” Kosgei explained.

He said the function will create a golden opportunity for church leaders and community elders to appeal for unity among the Kalejin communities especially as Ruto and Sang are preparing for another legal battle at the ICC.

MPs allied to the Jubilee administration have been calling on Ruto to boycott the ICC.

The politicians have hit out at ICC, describing it as a Kangaroo court that is not interested in administering justice. They accuse the court of always shifting goal posts to frustrate Ruto and Sang.