Kimnyole Arap Turukat: The Story of the Nandi Legend

Kimnyole Arap Turukat the Orkoiyot of the Nandi
Kimnyole Arap Turukat was the fourth Nandi Orkoiyot in the early 1800’s. The Orkoiyot was a spiritual and military leader who was consulted on decisions regarding security, particularly the waging of war. Kimnyole is remembered for his powerful prophecies, which forever altered the lives of the Nandi.

His exact year of birth is unknown, but he was the son of Turukat and father of Koitalel Arap Samoei. At his prime, he stood regal, an animal skin draped over one shoulder and a stick in hand.

His earlobes extended from the weight of the metallic traditional earrings that he wore. The colour of his skin was as dark as ebony and the muscles underneath were taut with youth. He was both a warrior and a leader, commanding fear and respect alike.

Kimnyole had two prophecies to his name, the coming of the “white tribe” (the whites) and “the Iron Snake” (the construction of the Kenya Uganda railway).

During his reign, the Nandi were a formidable force, in spite of the many conflicts with the Maasai during the 1870’s and 80’s. As the Maasai fought against themselves, the Nandi under the leadership of this shrewd Orkoiyot were observant and eager to exploit the divisions among the Maasai.

With such a leader, nothing could stand in their way and they were about the wealthiest tribe around with lots of cattle and captives from their victories.

Even then, Kimnyole’s reign was not without trouble. In the late 80’s, the rinderpest cattle disease struck Nandi herds. His people were bitter with him because he had not warned Nandi warriors against capturing rinderpest infected cattle from their raids.

Only his cattle survived and that only made the growing hostility against him worse. The salt to this injury was the loss of a large number of Nandi warriors, bororiosiek, when Kimnyole advised against a joint raid of more warriors.

It was unheard of for the Nandi to rise up against one of their own, but Kimnyole stood accused by his people. In 1890, Kimnyole was stoned to death because his prophecies had caused strife among the Nandi.

However, some say it is because his prophecy that the Nandi would be subdued by the white man had upset powerful tribal elders. Others also say that Kimnyole has actually warned his people against these adversities but they refused to listen.

After his death, his son Koitalel arap Samoei succeeded him while his brother Kipchomber Arap Koilege became the first Orkoiyot of the Kipsigis division of the Nandi.

The Nandi’s legacy lives on
South Nandi and North Nandi forests are recognized as key biodiversity areas in Kenya. The forests are home to birds and plants from highland forests and from western rainforests. The Nandi forests catch, store and release rain and protect the soil from erosion. Thanks to the forests, the farmlands are productive.