Rift Valley political turf war intensifies over kingpin role
By Aloys Michael, February 16, 2026A fresh political storm is brewing in Kenya’s Rift Valley after a Talai elder declared two leaders as regional kingpins, setting off a fierce supremacy battle within President William Ruto’s backyard.
The declaration by Talai elder Christopher Koyogi that Jackson Mandago and Johanna Ng’eno were Kalenjin kingpins has exposed simmering rivalries and intensified succession talk in the vote-rich region.
Koyogi, who serves as vice chairman of a faction of Talai elders, made the remarks during a condolence visit to Mandago following the death of his mother, Esther Lelei. In a video that quickly circulated online, the elder is heard endorsing Mandago as the political leader of North Rift and Ngeno as the South Rift supremo.
“I did not know that other people had said this before. Mandago, you are the kingpin of North Rift. Johanna Ngeno is the kingpin of South Rift,” Koyogi declared.
Mandago and Ngeno appeared cheerful as the elder continued.
“And when we say someone is a kingpin, no one should point fingers at him. If you want to fail, demean Mandago. He is now the leader of North Rift. Johanna Ng’eno, bring South Rift together until it is united.”
The remarks have triggered debate over whether the region is witnessing an early succession contest ahead of the 2032 political transition, even as Ruto serves his first term in office and is keen on being reelected in the 2027 polls.
Early succession politics
Although Ruto remains the undisputed political supremo of the Kalenjin community, the kingpin debate reflects underlying tensions among his allies.
Several names have been mentioned as possible heirs to his influence, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
However, Murkomen said in Nandi in 2023 that he should not be dragged into the kingpin debate.
The latest development has also been linked to recent public spats among Rift Valley leaders. A section of politicians claims that persistent criticism of some leaders by Oscar Sudi’s allies is part of a broader struggle to control the region’s political direction.
War of the mighty
Kesses MP Julius Rutto warned that some leaders were being used to undermine others with the potential to rise in national politics. However, he cautioned that succession politics was premature.
“People are engaging in 2032 politics when it’s premature. Every community in the Rift Valley is waiting to produce the next kingpin. But there are some people who were elevated recently, and they want to outshine others. We want to ask everyone to restrain their barking dogs,” Rutto quipped.
Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot echoed similar sentiments, terming it taboo within Kalenjin culture to attempt to inherit a leader’s mantle while he is still in office.
For his part, Sudi dismissed the endorsement politics and appeared to take a swipe at Mandago.
“Even when William Ruto was given the mantle to lead the community, he did not endorse anybody,” he said, adding that it was not the right time to fight over who becomes the next kingpin.
Ngeno, who benefited from Koyogi’s endorsement, sought to calm the storm, urging leaders to focus on securing Ruto’s second term.
“Our biggest responsibility is to guard the crown that we already have. We should not waver knowing that we have the crown (presidency),” he said.
Moreover, Narok Senator Ledama OleKina described the infighting as palpable and urged leaders to resolve their disputes privately.
“If you have to fight, lock yourselves in a room and square it out and come out showing solidarity,” he said during the burial.