•Led by spokesman Johana Mosonik, they said statement was unwarranted and despicable and if not unchecked, it could divide the communities along tribal lines.
• Former councillor told media in Ololulunga town the Maasai community will not support any gubernatorial candidate who picks a Kipsigis running mate.
Image: KIPLANG'AT KIRUI
The Kalenjin Council of Elders in Narok county has demanded an apology from former civic leader Joseph ole Karia over anti-Kipsigis comments.
Led by spokesman Johana Mosonik, they said the statement was very unfortunate, "unwarranted and despicable". If unchecked, it could divide communities along tribal lines, they said.
The former councillor told media in Ololulunga town in the Maasai Unity Forum the Maasai will not support any governor candidate who picks a Kipsigis running mate.
“We hereby demand an immediate apology to all Kenyans from Ole Karia and his team, and most importantly, from the entire Maa Nation.
We demand they call a press conference and recant, revoke and renounce earlier opinions, which were very alien to 21st Century civilisationJohana Mosonik
"We are in solidarity with fellow members of the Kalenjin community and other minority groups who are citizens of this great county of Narok,” Mosonik said.
They spoke to journalists in Narok town.
While asking the people to calm down and continue to coexist peacefully, Mosonik said the remarks have caused tension and mixed reactions amongst communities.
“We demand they call a press conference and recant, revoke and renounce their earlier opinions, which were very alien to this era of 21st Century civilisation,” he said.
He added, “We know and we believe it does not reflect the attitude and demeanour of the entire Maasai community."
The elder said every Kenyan is constitutionally entitled to live anywhere in this country, just like those in Narok and any part of this country.
“We all know that Narok is a cosmopolitan county with people from various communities, just like Nairobi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu and many others.
"No one should be denied residence anywhere in Kenya as clearly spelled out by the Constitution," Mosonik said.
Stanley Cheruiyot said such comments are likely to cause incitement and a breach of peace throughout the whole county.
“We have a great history with the Maasai people, we have come a long way together and coexisted for a long time," he said.
"We have had challenges together, faced bad and good times together, and finally we have enjoyed a long time of harmony and peaceful coexistence.
"We don't wish it away because we are lovers of peace, we make peace and we keep peace,” Cheruiyot said.
He asked the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the DCI to look into this grave matter and summon the elders. If anything adverse should happen, they should be held responsible, Cheruiyot said.
They issued an ultimatum of December 31 for all governor aspirants to announce their running mates.
“We reiterate that any interested aspirant willing and ready to vouch for a close working environment with other sub-tribes within Narok will enjoy our sincere, undivided support,” Cheruiot said.
(Edited by V. Graham)