By H, KNA
The Kipsigis Myoot council of elders has revealed preparations for a groundbreaking leadership and reconciliation rally to take place in Kericho town on September 19 with the goal of nurturing peace, reconciliation, and unity among leaders and residents in the county.
The elders said the rally, which will bring together elected leaders, the clergy, civil society, and members of the public, is designed to create a conducive political environment where dialogue and consensus replace wrangles and division.
Speaking to KNA at ACK Grace Conference Hall in Kericho, the council chairperson Richard Ng’eno said the elders had watched with growing concern as prolonged political disagreements slowed down development programs and eroded public trust in leadership. He emphasized that the council was stepping in to steer leaders towards reconciliation and a renewed spirit of service.
“As elders, our responsibility is to safeguard harmony within the community. This rally will be a neutral platform for dialogue where leaders can reconcile, rebuild trust, and focus their energies on development that benefits every resident of Kericho,” Ng’eno said.
The chairperson added that unity was not only essential for peace but also for unlocking the county’s potential in agriculture, education, and youth empowerment. He stressed that disputes had often distracted leaders from addressing urgent socio-economic challenges, including unemployment and stalled projects, to the detriment of the public.
In addition to addressing political issues, the rally will hold cultural shows with the elders reflecting on 250 years of the Kipsigis age-set system, a traditional institution that has long been a source of order, leadership, and moral guidance for the community.
Ng’eno explained that the system—including Maina, Chumo, Sawe, Korongoro, Kaplelach, Kipnyige, and Nyongi age sets—had shaped the lives of generations and remained a powerful reference point for leadership and governance. The council intends to review the strengths and shortcomings of each age set to extract lessons for the current and future leadership.
“We want to draw wisdom from our heritage while correcting mistakes that continue to haunt present-day governance. Our cultural systems are not relics of the past—they remain relevant today in helping us build a peaceful, just, and united community,” Ng’eno noted.
He observed that the Kaplelach age set, which currently holds leadership, had in the past been associated with challenges, but said elders would provide guidance, mentorship, and correction to ensure history does not repeat itself.
The council emphasized that the rally would help strengthen the role of elders as mediators and cultural custodians, bridging the gap between tradition and modern governance. Ng’eno said the elders were determined to ensure that cultural values such as respect, integrity, and communal responsibility continue to inform the political leadership of Kericho.
“Our appeal to leaders is simple—let us walk together. Let us replace hostility with dialogue, suspicion with trust, and rivalry with cooperation. Only then can Kericho county achieve peace and sustainable progress,” he said.
The elders urged residents to turn up in large numbers and support the initiative, stressing that reconciliation and unity were the bedrock of a stable political environment and a brighter future for the county.
