Pundit-Nandi made and Destroyed Kalenjin,a sad legacy

[Njuri Ncheke]

I think in late 80s - you scored some victory against Maasai - in Mt kenya. Did Meru settle in Timau and such areas pre-colonial period?  Yes to survive in that area with shiftas and boranas is not easy. Kambas were able to match Maasai through deadly arrow poison - made from I think snake venom or something.

Kalenjin arrow poison were made from some fruits - and the mostly deadly from some frogs.

The fruit one could be given to each warrior - but the frog one was carried in a pot - only by the experts - who made it deep in the forest - and you'd have to dip it and fire it - very carefully - someone was reported to swell and bust upon contact.

Seem to be true

The frogs' poison is found in their skin, making them too toxic to touch. While most frogs are considered toxic but not deadly, they are distasteful to a predator and can even be fatal. The poison can cause serious swelling, nausea, and muscular paralysis

Pundit we dealt with bazungu and his cronies effectively. Merus were very shrewd fighters that's why you don't see any Meru Mau Mau leaders fighters caught by beberu.
Simply Merus didn't enjoy the vast numbers like quoted of the mogusii in your battles with them.
Merus used to lightly defend borders that had kambas and Kikuyus only sending scouts(Rai) to monitor the activities in the border areas and their movements. Main meru fighting force lay on the north against more potent enemies like samburu and Cushites.

Pundit the only major battle between Meru and Maasai was fought circa 1840s by the Meru Kubai ageset and took place just south of Maua town kangeta area where there is a huge escarpment like the one you see at the subukia summit. During that battle Masaai and or Samburu were totally vanquished and henceforth ceased to be a threat to the Meru west and all attention shifted to the North where Cushitic and  Samburu  retreated to.
Due to Meru small population numbers they couldn't occupy or expand to far areas. Meru low population has made them coalesce around areas they can consolidate. And current borders reflect what during the pre colonial eras Merus were able to strike. Places like Timau after the 1840s defeat of Masaai and subsequent disintegration of the laikap Masaai were left empty as Meru couldn't fill them till bazungu came. That doesn't mean they were no mans land. Merus could easily strike at own will. Generally the conflicts you see Merus have with nilotes and cushites is a continuation of that conflict the latter never accepting that they lost to a numerically inferior people and  farmers. Most samburus and cushites were absorbed by the conquering Merus.

[RV Pundit]

Yes there is no doubt Mt kenya are ahead - far ahead - and rest need to copy and catch up - esp in intensive farming

We are done as proud rich community - overpopulation - after crazy giving of birth - has reduced farms to bantu size - but we will dominate kenya siasa and other aspect as eventually we will become biggest united tribe - baluhyas are not united.

Unless Ruto find us new land - we have to adapt to new realities - and become intensive farmers like Merus and Kikuyus.

For us to maintain old lifestyle - we need to expand into Narok - and other Maasailand - but Maasai are also increasing in population.

So basically we have to adapt - very fast.

Long history Kalenjin have but you guys have almost fcuked it up nowadays. You need riase from the slumber Kalenjin would have been quite dominant in may areas I see. But now left right and centre your only hope is Mzito who if you believe me wouldn't lift the Kalenjin as they expect.

Yes basically I could see the adaptation has begun in Kericho areas,like I said different in standard of living with mt.kenya is not as great as I thought honestly I was surprised by this. You could walk into any village or market and the activities carried out there are almost similar to ones in mt.kenya. but I bet going deeper in elgeyo marakwet,baringo,bomet things become different people get more poor.
What didn't impress me was nyanza and Western people are still poor and 30 years behind Mlima and parts of RV,this really sadden me.
I could tell its not all government neglect because Uhuru has really done infrastructure big time. The poverty comes from the methodology and mindset of the people. Most western ers rely on employment vs mlima and RV Who do business and agro business. This is main different. In My area I can tell many people who are semi illiterate but well to do coz they do agribusiness and other hustles,they grew up knowing they will never get employed and mindset was fixed then to personal uplift from an early age in primary school. As for westerners they studied hard but there was no employment. That's how it all turned up to and it was late catching up with mt.kenya

[GeeMail]

Used to go through Uasin Gishu during KCC days though small boy. Kalenjin still poor interior rural. Serious alcohol in Kalenjin land. Pity everybody think because Moi was in power then KCB. Poverty in rural Kenya very bad even in central. Muranga still has grass thatch houses today. Kenyatta started. Moi follow nyayo juu. Luoland poverty very bad. Cannot be overturned after many generations. Poor Kalnjin is poor Kenyan like Luo or Kikuyu or Somali. Problem for all Kenya. Ruto will change it all and make it better we hope.