Pokot elders curse those who will rig elections

Pokot elders perform traditional rituals to curse those who are planning to rig the August 8 election in Nasukuta area, West Pokot County. Photo: Shanzu Irissheel/Standard)

Pokot elders have performed death curses on political leaders who will rig the August 8 elections.

Over 2500 elders drawn from Baringo, West Pokot and Laikipia counties converged at Nasukuta in West Pokot County where they performed traditional rituals to curse those who are scheming to steal votes.

The elders arrived at Nasukuta on Sunday evening carrying herbs and a traditional tool kit for performing the rituals. They spent the whole night conducting the ceremony and praying for peace in the country before slaughtering a bull on Monday morning.

The meat was then roasted and placed on leaves where elders sat in a circle and feasted on it.

"Those who will ascend to power by rigging will die before December. They will die a month after they are sworn in," said one of the elders Yaralima Chesira.

"We have pleased our gods by slaughtering a bull and I hope our prayers will be answered," he said.

Elders from neighboring Uganda also joined hands in declaring death on leaders who will rig elections.

The youth and female journalists were not allowed to access the sacred venue where the prayers were held.

Only male journalists were allowed to watch from a distance and take photographs of the event which took place beside a river.

"We decided to hold the prayers to secure the country from chaos judging from what we witnessed in the last election. There should be peace in our county and across the country," said another elder Christopher Loritakau.

Nasukuta is among the sacred place of the Pokot community. Locals believe that when a ritual is performed at the venue it will not go unfulfilled.

The elders prayed for a peaceful nation and warned leaders against rigging and plunging the country into chaos.

West Pokot leaders welcomed the move and asked candidates in the across the country to accept poll results.

Pokot elders curse those who are planning to rig the August 8 election

They also dismissed reports that the region is a hot spot.

"This county is safe and there is no skirmishes that are going to be experienced in the region," said Senator Lonyangapuo.

Poghisio asked candidates in the county not to interfere with recruitment of presiding officers since it may trigger conflicts.

"IEBC is an independent body we should not allow aspirants to interfere with its mandate," he said.