Nandi council of elders (Kaburwo) on Thursday said the fatal accidents along the infamous Salgaa-Sachangwan stretch are caused a curse by Nandi paramount chief.
They were speaking at their office in Kapsabet, Nandi county, after a consultative meeting.
Led by their chairman Benjamin Kitur, the elders stated that in 1961, Nandi Paramount chief, Kipng'etich Minei was tortured by then DC Peter Brown and other chiefs. His belongings which included traditional attire were forcibly seized.
"We have discovered that the accidents along Salgaa-Sachangwan road maybe a result of a curse by Nandi Paramount chief, Kipng'etich Minei," said Kitur.
The Kaburwo elders said the Paramount chief's attire was given to Margret, sister to Queen Elizabeth, who had toured the region. This angered Minei so much that he cursed them that they would be killed on the road by a woman.
"DC Peter Brown and other 3 chiefs gave Minei's attire which was well decorated to Margret as a gift. Kipng'etich was annoyed by the act of his attire given to a woman, cursing," Kitur narrated.
According to the Kaburwo elders, the 3 chiefs perished in an accident along Salgaa-Sachangwan stretch. They had a head-on collision with a car driven by a woman as cursed by Minei.
The Department of Culture in Nandi county led by Valentine Chumo applauded the Kaburwo elders role in the transformation of the county. Chumo said they are custodians of Nandi heritage and her office will support them.
"The Nandi Council of elders fully have our support as a department of culture. We really appreciate the role they are playing in putting our county on the national map," said Chumo.
The Kaburwo elders added they have already asked for forgiveness from Minei's family for the torture he encountered. They said there are plans to conduct ritual cleansing along the Salgaa-Sachangwan stretch.