Baringo Senator Gideon Kipsiele Moi could be headed for a good start ahead of 2022 after he was installed as a Kalenjin Elder.
Gideon was bestowed in a ceremony conducted by the community’s elders held at Kapsokwony in Mount Elgon on Saturday.
The son of Kenya’s longest-serving President together with Chama Cha Mashinani party leader Isaac Ruto had attended a church service at the Kapsokwony Seventh Day Adventist church before being installed later.
The elders from the Kalenjin sub-tribe, Sabaot anointed Gideon with special ointment, dressed him in traditional Sabaot regalia and gave him a traditional three-legged stool, rapped with Kalenjin cultural weed (sinendeet) and a spear to symbolise power and their blessings.
Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi is now an elder of the Sabaot and the larger Kalenjin community. Gideon Moi was installed as the Sabaot elder in a ceremony presided over by other Kalenjin leaders. #KTNWeekendPrime with @Ashleymazuri pic.twitter.com/wbOcG28Oq7
— ktn (@KTNKenya) September 7, 2019
“It is here that President Uhuru Kenyatta was also crowned as an elder in 2002 and now it is Gideon’s turn to get the elders’ blessings,” stated Chebuyo one of the elders conducting the ceremony.
According to Chebuyo, it was only one leader who was supposed to be installed and having Gideon already, he ruled out any future possibility of another elder being installed
One of the power instruments handed over to Moi, however, caused some online discussions from among the members of the Kalenjin community.
According to the community’s customs, Sosiot (palm branch) which was given to Gideon is ONLY supposed to be given to women leaders and not men.
Speaking after the function, Moi communicated that Kenyans had yearned to hear his stand over presidential bid but asked them to wait a little while.
“You know I am currently Baringo senator but behold, I will tell you something as days go by”, responded Gideon adding that he was still following cows footprints.
https://www.facebook.com/Abma001/videos/2337693613166061/
Moi also took the opportunity to touch on Mau Forest evictions. He called upon Kenyans to stand in prayers with the people who have been evicted from the country’s water catchment tower.
Gideon maintained that those affected by the government’s move to evict people out of the catchment area are suffering hence the need for the government to conduct the exercise in a more humane manner.
Tiaty MP who was also present at the function drummed up support for Moi’s 2022 presidential ambitions.
Among other leaders who accompanied Gideon to the area included; Moiben MP Silas, John Serut and Zipporah Kittony among others.