This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
On June 16, 2020, a rift emerged within the Talai sect after one of its members, Mzee Christopher Koyogi, publicly opposed the group's decision to crown Deputy President William Ruto as the kingpin in the Rift Valley region ahead of the 2022 vote.
According to sources, Mzee Koyogi had expressed concerns that the ceremony was incomplete and inconsequential, as it was conducted without observing essential key aspects as stipulated by the culture of the Nandi faction from the whole Kalenjin world.
DP Ruto had been crowned in a ceremony at Kapsisiywa, but Mzee Koyogi was not satisfied, saying, "We are not against the coronation that was done at Kapsisiywa, but we are against the way in which it was executed, for instance, there is no use of honey when the leader is dressed with the Sambut."
His comments were seen as a defiance of the council's decision, and he was subsequently dismissed by the Talai Council, led by Mr. James Baasi, who stated that the crowning was done within the cultural protocols recognized by the clan and in line with the rites that the council is founded on.
Twenty-two out of the 25 members of the council voted in favor of Mzee Koyogi's expulsion, citing that his stance had tarnished the image of Talai.
