DP William Ruto Cleansed by Talai Elders to Protect Him from Bad Omen

Deputy President William Ruto was on Friday cleansed by the Talai elders to protect him from bad omen ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

The two-hour ceremony was held at Kapsirwo village in Nandi County, where elders performed rituals in a nearby hill to insulate DP Ruto from harm and political miseries, according to The Star.

During the ceremony, elders dressed in animal skins doused DP Ruto with milk and honey from a special traditional gourd. Led by Christopher arap Agui, Lawrence Nganai, and Stephen arap Tormoi, the elders also held prayers and offered sacrifices on the hill.

The ceremony culminated in Ruto being given leadership instruments, among them a baton (nogirwet) and a traditional stick (Siarit).

The Talai, who are descendants of legendary Nandi leader Koitalel Samoei, are highly respected and are said to possess the power to predict good tidings in addition to protecting one from harm.

“This is not a petty ceremony but a serious one. Those who accept it get divine protection from an evil spell and physical harm,” a source told The Star.

Ruto was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, his Nandi counterpart Stephen Sang, Nandi Senator Cherargei, MPs Caleb Kositany (Soy), Wilson Kogo (Chesumei), Cornely Serem (Aldai) and Julius Melly (Tinderet).

Ruto is considered a frontrunner in the race to succeed President Kenyatta in 2022.