Blend of religion and traditions as priest is ordained, declared elder

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Reverend Joakim Kipkurui, 28, was ordained to perform evangelical work under the Society of African Missions Kenya District. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

In a classy integration of religion and African cultural heritage, a section of community elders saw the need to honour the priest in full Nandi leadership regalia complete with a leadership stick (sharit), gown (sambut), flywhisk (Kipkalyangit) and a traditional three-legged stool.

He was also gifted a lamb, a symbol of dignity and righteousness, as he reaches out to the unconverted and spreading the seeds of Christianity in the society. The traditional ceremony, performed by great Nandi legendary leader Koitaleel Samoei's descendant from Kapsisywa's Talai clan, was in honour of Rev Kipkurui's hard work and commitment to reaching out to communities spreading the gospel.

It was performed at Rev Kipkurui's Kapkeben village home at Mosoriot Township, where his Kapchebore family had invited guests for a Thanksgiving fete on Monday, two days after the ordination.

The traditional ceremony in honour of the priest's spiritual calling was performed after a thanksgiving mass at the homestead.

David Sulo, a fourth-generation descendant of Koitaleel, Augustine Kisorio, and Catholic Church catechists Julius Melly and Simion Mwei, led in the traditional prayers.

"Rev Kipkurui is now a spiritual leader, and we are also blessing him as a leader because we will be undertaking various roles in his religious leadership including performing marital unions, blessing children, and offering guidance among others," said Sulo.

Leaders that attended the vent included MPs Julius Ruto (Kesses), Prof Phylis Bartoo (Moiben), Caroline Ng'elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet women representative), Elgeyo Marakwet deputy governor Prof Grace Cheserek and Bomet speaker Cosmas Korir.