Pokot elders have turned to cultural practices to promote peaceful coexistence amid rampant demonstrations in the country. They conducted a ritual to curse those they claim have incited the Gen Z to protest against the Kenya Kwanza government.
At Kachang’uya shrine in Masol, Pokot Central, the elders performed special traditional prayers for President William Ruto and peace in the country. The ceremony, which drew hundreds of attendees, involved slaughtering a bull, lighting a fire, roasting meat, and sitting in a semi-circle around leaves, known as Kriket, while eating the meat.
Elders dressed in traditional regalia led the ritual, holding spears and leaves, and praying in the Pokot language, with the crowd responding. They symbolically discarded their walking sticks, representing a rejection of Satan, whom they blamed for confusing the youth.
Elder Samuel Kamar expressed concern over the ongoing demonstrations across the country.
“We are very sure that some people have been pushing the youth. That is why we have conducted Pokot prayers to curse them. We have not mentioned names but we are not happy about their deeds,” Kamar said.
He decried the high political temperatures in the country which he noted has hampered development and service delivery to the people.
“When there is a fight in Kenya everyone will suffer. We have seen how war destroyed Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda that is our concern,” the elder said.
The elders urged that President Ruto be given sufficient time to lead the country. Karimo Lodia, another elder, expressed disappointment over the recent demonstrations and advised the President to ignore the commotion and focus on serving Kenyans.
Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, who attended the ceremony, mentioned that consultations with the elders about the country’s leadership had taken place and condemned those allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
“We thought it was about the Finance Bill but it has turned out to be something else to overthrow the government which was put in place by the people. We have people misusing the youth without them knowing. Even after the President withdrew the bill, youths are still adamant that the President should vacate office,” the legislator said.
He condemned planners and financiers of the demonstrations, adding that Kenya was on the right track.
“Let them wait until 2027 or 2032. We support the President 100 per cent. The dollar has gone down and the Kenya shilling has gained. Kenya has changed and there is no way someone can get power through the backdoor without following the constitution. The economy is improving and some people are not happy,” he said.
“When Kenya is destroyed everyone will be affected. The President is ready to listen. There was public participation and stakeholder’s engagement before the Finance Bill came. What do they want if they are not ready for engagement? We want to know who is behind these youths. Some are politicians, non-governmental organisations and business people. We need to know them and what their aim is,” Lochakapong said.
According to the MP, they supported the Finance Bill because it had many benefits that are needed by his constituency which he said has been marginalised for long.
“We would have been given more than Sh1 billion for restocking livestock in the semi-arid area. It could have brought power. There has been no power here since independence. In the Constituency Development Fund, we could have gotten Sh30 million for power and Sh53 million for irrigation. Now we have lost,” Lochakapong said.
He claimed demonstrators have turned out to be criminals destroying peoples properties.
“Let the President exercise his powers through the Directorate of Criminal Investigation,Kenya Defence Forces, National Intelligence Service and the police to help. We will not now allow a few people to destroy Kenya,” Lochakapong said.
