The Sabaot community on Saturday crowned Baringo Senator Gideon Moi as an elder, seven years after doing a similar ritual to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Saturday's event is a big blow to Deputy President William Ruto since the community does not annoint more than one presidential candidate.
Mr Moi, a Tugen by birth, is seeking to dethrone DP William Ruto as Kalenjin community kingpin and has focused Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and South Rift as his targets.
“This is the cradle land of the Kalenjin community, his crowning makes him a leader, he is free to go out there and fight for whatever seat he desires,” said Richard Chebuyo, 74, who led the ritual.
“It is here former President Moi was anointed in 2002, President Uhuru Kenyatta was also crowned as an elder here and now it is Gideon’s turn to get the elders’ blessings,” said Chebuyo.
Chebuyo ruled out possibility of crowning any other political leader, saying it was an abomination to do so.
The senator thanked the elders and locals for their warm welcome and promised to visit the area more frequently to initiate development projects and give them the direction to follow.
Isaac Ruto said he chose to accompany the senator to the Kalenjin cradle land and witness the crowning. He appealed to the government to resettle families targeted for eviction from the Mau Forest.
“We have no problem with efforts to conserve Mau Forest. However, let the families affected be given alternative resettlement place,” said Ruto.
KANU is mulling a possible alliance with Chama Cha Mashinani, with DP Ruto now struggling to stamp his authority in the larger Rift Valley region.
Recently, Dr Ruto lost billionaire businessman Zedekiah Bundotich alias Buzeki to CCM. Also, Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos joined Moi.