Elders conduct cleansing ritual in Mt Elgon

By Osinde Obare

Sabaot Laibons (elders) conducted a ritual to cleanse youth from the warring Soy and Ndorobo clans, an effort towards bringing peace in Mt Elgon.

It was a rare ceremony as the Laibons diagnosed intestines of a slaughtered bull and warned Kenyans to seek reconciliation to avert a repeat of the 2007 post-election violence.

Local MP Fred Kapondi and DC Omar Salat attended.

The more than 200 youth and elders, led by John Chonge, conducted traditional prayers before passing meat. Silence was upheld during the five hour-ceremony at Kopsiro, and only elderly women were allowed to join the men.

The Laibons sprinkled animal blood to appease the ancestors to forgive the clans from past mistakes.

"We are here to banish evil spirits that cost the lives of our people in this land. Let there be no revenge as we join hands to prosper," prayed Chonge, clad in leopard skin.

They asked the Government to allow them cleanse those convicted over the massacre in the district to stop them from seeking revenge.