Pokot elders hold ritual to curse those inciting youth to protest

Pokot elders have resorted to using culture to seek peaceful coexistence in the country following rampant cases of demonstrations.

They  held a ritual and cursed people they claimed have incited the Gen Z to demonstrate against the Kenya Kwanza government.

The elders who slaughtered a bull at Kachang’uya shrine in Masol area in Pokot Central, conducted special traditional prayers for President William Ruto and for peace to prevail in the country.

In a colourful ceremony that attracted hundreds of people, the elders lit fire, roasted meat and sat in a semi-circle with leaves put on the ground in front of them known as Kriket where they ate the meat.

Some elders dressed in traditional regalia led the ritual while holding a spear and leaves, and prayed in the Pokot language with the crowd answering.

The elders threw away walking sticks symbolising turning away from Satan whom they said had confused the youth.

Led by elder Samuel Kamar, they raised concern about 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 said President Ruto should be given enough time to lead the country. 

Karimo Lodia, another elder, said the recent demos are unfortunate.

He asked the President to ignore the hullaballoo and continue serving Kenyans.

Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong who attended the ceremony said they have consulted with elders about the country’s leadership and condemned people he claimed were scheming 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.