Elders want Koitalel’s skull returned from UK

By  TITUS TOO

Elders from freedom fighter Koitalel Samoei’s Talai clan have renewed demands to have his skull returned from Britain.

They also demand his attire including Sambut (gown made from monkey skin), a sword and other ornaments taken away after his killing by colonial imperialists in 1905, be brought back.

The demands come as the clan plans to press for compensation for loss of lives and property during resistance to colonialism.

Talai Council of Elders convened a meeting to be held at Kapsisiywo chief’s camp in Nandi Central District today to deliberate on compensation, among other issues.

“We have called for the meeting whose agenda will include seeking an apology from the British government and also compensation for atrocities meted out against the community,” said Moses Saina, Secretary Talai Council of Elders.

Koitalel’s descendants who include George Samoei, Christopher Koyogi and David Sulo said the Nandi community suffered after the killing of Koitalel after being duped into a peace truce before being gunned down.

Sulo said the return of Koitalel’s leadership batons from Britain in 2005 is evidence that they have a strong case against imperialists.

Three leadership batons traced to a museum in Britain were returned and are currently kept at Koitalel Samoei Mausoleum, in Nandi Hills town.

The batons, encased in a wooden box with a glass top are among other community ornaments that are a centre of attraction for visitors who tour the mausoleum.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Koyogi said the skull, taken away by the colonialists after the killing, is believed to be in Britain and that it should be returned to the country.

Koyogi and Sulo added that after the killing of Koitalel, who led the Nandi resistance in the 1890s, his clan members were displaced and put into a detention camp at Kapsisiywo.

Sulo said after the killing of the Orgoiyot (Seer), his sons including Barsirian arap Manyei were displaced from Nandi and later detained.

Koyogi said today’s meeting will strategise on ways of demanding compensation from the British government.

The descendants added that they would make early preparation for a major commemoration of Koitalel to mark 108 years into his killing.