Why council of elders have become spanner boys for Kenyan politicians

From the shuka-draped Maasai elders, to spear and shield holding elderly Luos, the Kaya elders from the coastal region and the no-nonsense Njuri Ncheke from Meru, councils of elders were made of respected and incorruptible members of the community.

The elitist octogenarians had great personal discipline and wisdom, and were in a position to influence the socio-economic and political decision making in their communities. When they called the community to war, they would be heeded without fail. And when they forbade war, the ceasefire was immediate.