Since 2017, it has been President Kenyatta, but last week Mr Ruto walked into a shrine in the wee hours of a Friday morning for a small ceremony, kicking up a political storm that, it emerged yesterday, has also caused a cultural division.

The Saturday Nation learnt yesterday that divisions have emerged among the Talai Council of Elders following the 'coronation' of Mr Ruto, with one group disowning the dawn ceremony while the other defends it.

"The DP and his associates should follow the right cultural channel and have both Nandi and Talai elders meet and perform the cleansing ceremony," Mr Koyogi said, adding that they will not coax Mr Ruto to go for the cleansing.

However, Mr Amos Korir, another Talai elder, said the ceremony was a confirmation to DP Ruto that he will take over from President Kenyatta in 2022.

"Yes, we crowned President Kenyatta in Nandi Hills in 2017, but what we did to the DP has nothing to do with undermining him; it is a sign that Mr Ruto will take over leadership from the President and the Head of State publicly promised us that," said Mr Korir.