The perennial rivalry between the Nandi and Kipsigis, two dominant Kalenjin sub-tribes, has been rekindled following derogatory remarks by President William Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet.

In a video clip that has gone viral, Farouk mocked the Kipsigis, saying they were only good at siring children.

His utterances have not gone down well with residents of the South Rift. ‘Kipsigis’ means to bear children in the Kalenjin language.

Music makers

Speaking in Nandi County recently, the outspoken Farouk said: “Kipsigisiechu omoche oiichi kityok korenyon.”

Loosely translated, this means: “You Kipsigis do nothing else but give birth in our land.”

In another incident, shortly after Farouk arrived in Angata Barakoi in Narok County, he dismissed Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno, saying: “Momoche chito nebo dansi” (I don’t want someone who is after music).

The remarks annoyed the Kipsigis, some of whom noted most Kalenjin musicians and content creators are Kipsigis.

Ngeno recently organised a well-attended Kalenjin Music Festival Awards, where Kalenjin artistes were honoured with cash prices in various categories at the historic Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho County.

Response in song

As if in response to Farouk’s remarks, a group of Kipsigis artistes have composed a song to castigate his sentiments.

In the song, which has also gone viral, the artistes are categorical that music (dansi) is the source of their livelihood.

Music and dance, they said, has enabled them to educate, clothe and feed their families.

They sing: Ache kemi dansi. Dansi ko sobenyo ohh …dansi ko sobenyo ooh … kikisomesane lagokyo dansi ohh, akilache lagokyo ohh. Kimenyen kot dansi ohh ..” (Dancing is our life. Music has enabled us to educate and clothe our children. Music has enabled us to have a shelter.)

Farouk’s remarks have sparked widespread anger, with the Kipsigis urging him to uphold the dignity and respect associated with his position.

They expressed disappointment, saying his comments were demeaning to the Kipsigis people and calling on him to issue a public apology.

Many in the Nandi community have also distanced themselves from Farouk’s comments and apologised to the Kipsigis community. Farouk is from Nandi community.

A social media user going by the name Generali Generali wrote: “We cherish you as our Kipsigis brothers. On behalf of Nandi people, we wish to apologize to the … Kipsigis community. It’s quite unbecoming of Farouk and I know how painful it is and should be called out the way it is.”

This is not the first time the Kipsigis and Nandi communities have found themselves arguing over a leader’s remarks.

In 2022, Caleb Kositany, the Soy MP at the time, came under fire after he asked voters not to elect former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter because he is not a Nandi.

In a viral video clip, Kositany told a crowd that Keter is from Kipsigis community and not a Nandi and should be rejected by voters.

He claimed that Keter had become a thorn in the flesh of President Ruto’s Rift Valley political backyard.

Kositany said Keter had been a harsh critic of Ruto and should be taught a lesson by being rejected at the ballot for disloyalty.

“Had he been a Nandi, I would have told our elders to summon him and teach him some manners … but since he is a Kipsigis, which he is, if you don’t know, I’m asking his Kipsigis kinsmen to come for him … teach him how to be a good-mannered person,” said Mr Kositany in vernacular at a campaign rally.

Keter targeted

Kositany had teamed up with Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi to campaign against Keter in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) primaries. Keter lost the Nandi Hills parliamentary seat to Bernard Kitur.

The Kipsigis voted overwhelmingly for Ruto in the 2022 elections.

According to the 2019 census, the Kipsigis numbered 1.972 million, making them the most populous Kalenjin sub-tribe.

Their numbers were more than double those of the Nandi, whose population was 885,711.