Luo vs kalenjin beef in Kenya

You may laugh now, but when a militia of 200 shows up at your doorstep in the dead of night, it won’t be so funny. These people fought the British for 16 years using the same arrows you mock. They are skilled archers who employ guerrilla tactics, striking in large numbers with poisoned arrows under the cover of darkness. How do I know? Because our house was raided back in 2007. Over 100 of them arrived in the early hours of Valentine’s Day. They left my father lying in front of our home—with his neck and ribs broken, his body pierced with arrows, and his eyes gouged out.
 
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They wouldn’t last a day in Somalia

Obviously not, if they're only armed with bows and arrows but the Kalenjin are divided into 11 culturally and linguistically related tribes totaling about 6.3 million people.

In Northern Kenya, the Pokot are practically born with an AK at the hip and the Sabaot once formed a militia (SLDF) that even gave the KDF trouble.

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Think I previously mentioned that the Nandi fought the British for 16 years. They only lost because the British brokered a fake truce only to then ambush their spiritual leader Koitalel Arap Samoei.

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The Kalenjin tribes:
Kipsigis (1.9 million),
Nandi (937,000),
Pokot (778,000),
Sebei (350,000),
Sabaot (296,000),
Keiyo (451,000),
Tugen (197,556),
Cherang'any (8,323),
Marakwet (119,000),
Ogiek (52,000),
Terik (323,230),
Lembus (71,600),
Sengwer (10,800).

If all these communities were to unite, they would pose a serious threat to any country/community. Just look at the havoc Al-Shabaab are wreaking with 15-18,000 men. Joseph Kony similarly killed more than 100,000 with a small militia.

The Kalenjin still practice cattle rustling, which often leads to deadly outcomes, and in times of conflict, they don’t adhere to normal codes of war (proportionality, humanity, and honor). It was a Kalenjin who ordered the execution of 5000 Somalis in Wagalla. This was two years after a Luo led coup against the government in 1982. It hardened him

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During the PEV, they tracked down women seeking shelter in churches and burned them alive, along with children. Same thing in 1992 where they killed 5000 Kikuyus in Molo.

Somalis, I would think are a bit more civilised. Most of your people are businessmen, whereas these people still live in the dark ages. Imagine a father coming home from work, only to go out and "hunt"—that is the reality for many Kalenjins.

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ChatGPT:

If we're comparing traditional Kalenjin warriors and Somali warriors, the outcome would depend on several factors, including tactics, weapons, and the specific historical context.

Kalenjin Warriors:
• Known for their endurance, agility, and expertise in archery.
• Used guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and deep knowledge of their terrain.
• Fought with bows, poisoned arrows, spears, and sometimes clubs.

Historically engaged in cattle raids and resisted colonial forces (e.g., the Nandi resistance against the British).

Somali Warriors:
• Highly mobile, often using horses or later camels for warfare.
• Skilled in both melee combat and ranged attacks, using spears, swords, and bows.
• Developed strong clan-based militias, capable of both large-scale battles and fast raids.

Fought against Ethiopian, Omani, and later European colonial forces.

Who Would Have the Advantage?
In open terrain (e.g., savannas or deserts): Somalis, due to their mobility, use of cavalry, and experience in large-scale warfare.

In forested or mountainous regions: Kalenjin warriors, who excelled in hit-and-run tactics and ambush warfare.

At long range: Kalenjin archers, depending on the effectiveness of their bows and poisoned arrows.

At close range: Somalis, due to their experience with swords and spears in direct combat.

Ultimately, it would depend on the battlefield and the circumstances. If the fight were prolonged, the Kalenjin endurance and guerrilla tactics could wear down the Somalis. However, in a direct, fast-paced battle, Somali warriors might have the upper hand due to their cavalry and combat experience against diverse enemies.
 
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Obviously not, if they're only armed with bows and arrows. But in Northern Kenya, the Pokot are practically born with an AK at the hip.

View attachment 356008

...and the Sabaot once formed a militia (SLDF) that even gave the KDF trouble.

Think I previously mentioned that the Nandi fought the British for 16 years. They only lost because the British brokered a fake truce only to then ambush their spiritual leader Koitalel Arap Samoei.

View attachment 356009

View attachment 356010

The Kalenjin are divided into 11 culturally and linguistically related tribes: Kipsigis (1.9 million), Nandi (937,000), Pokot (778,000), Sebei (350,000), Sabaot (296,000), Keiyo (451,000), Tugen (197,556), Cherang'any (8,323), Marakwet (119,000), Ogiek (52,000), Terik (323,230), Lembus (71,600), and Sengwer (10,800), totaling about 6.3 million people.

If all these communities were to unite, they would pose a serious threat to any country/community. Just look at the havoc Al-Shabaab are wreaking with 15-18,000 men. Joseph Kony similarly killed more than 100,000 with a small militia.

The Kalenjin still practice cattle rustling, which often leads to deadly outcomes, and in times of conflict, they don’t adhere to normal codes of war (proportionality, humanity, and honor). It was a Kalenjin who ordered the execution of 5000 Somalis in Wagalla.

View attachment 356011

During the PEV, they tracked down women seeking shelter in churches and burned them alive, along with children. Same thing in 1992 where they killed 5000 Kikuyus in Molo.

Somalis, I would think are a bit more civilised. Most of your people are businessmen, whereas these people still live in the dark ages. Imagine a father coming home from work, only to go out and "hunt"—that is the reality for many Kalenjins.

View attachment 356007

ChatGPT:

If we're comparing traditional Kalenjin warriors and Somali warriors, the outcome would depend on several factors, including tactics, weapons, and the specific historical context.

Kalenjin Warriors:
• Known for their endurance, agility, and expertise in archery.
• Used guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and deep knowledge of their terrain.
• Fought with bows, poisoned arrows, spears, and sometimes clubs.

Historically engaged in cattle raids and resisted colonial forces (e.g., the Nandi resistance against the British).

Somali Warriors:
• Highly mobile, often using horses or later camels for warfare.
• Skilled in both melee combat and ranged attacks, using spears, swords, and bows.
• Developed strong clan-based militias, capable of both large-scale battles and fast raids.

Fought against Ethiopian, Omani, and later European colonial forces.

Who Would Have the Advantage?
In open terrain (e.g., savannas or deserts): Somalis, due to their mobility, use of cavalry, and experience in large-scale warfare.

In forested or mountainous regions: Kalenjin warriors, who excelled in hit-and-run tactics and ambush warfare.

At long range: Kalenjin archers, depending on the effectiveness of their bows and poisoned arrows.

At close range: Somalis, due to their experience with swords and spears in direct combat.

Ultimately, it would depend on the battlefield and the circumstances. If the fight were prolonged, the Kalenjin endurance and guerrilla tactics could wear down the Somalis. However, in a direct, fast-paced battle, Somali warriors might have the upper hand due to their cavalry and combat experience against diverse enemies.
This whole time I thought kalenjins where a settled agricultural community similar to the luos good insight on Nilotic history

which subclan of kalenjin produce most of the Olympic athletes ?
 
This whole time I thought kalenjins where a settled agricultural community similar to the luos good insight on Nilotic history

which subclan of kalenjin produce most of the Olympic athletes ?

I believe that would be the Nandi.

Some are settled, others are primitive. They steal their neighbours cattle, and kill whoever gets in the way. During times of conflict (elections etc...) they usually show up in large numbers just to intimidate and leave a dozen people dead. You can't really defend yourself against an immoral enemy who's willing to kill anyone to get a W. Women, children, elderly, nobody's safe so you're forced to move until things calm down. Unless you have an AK you're helpless against archers.

Imagine getting this drilled in your head.

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This was Sondu back in 2024, the Kipsigis marched into town with a huge militia.

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Left a dozen innocent civilians dead in their wake.

Seventeen years ago, my mom went to bed next to her husband. The next morning, she returned to find our house burned down after spending the night in the woods with a child. She discovered our neighbor crying over a corpse covered with a sheet because the sight was too harrowing to bear. He had been completely disemboweled and tortured. "Animals" is the only word I can use to describe them. Even ISIS behead their victims quickly.
 
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Nomadic tribes, in general, are a nuisance to their neighbors because, even with a standing army, it's hard to defend against bandit attacks. No one wants to lose loved ones in a senseless assault. Even if you retaliate, they'll eventually return, seeing that they are fighting for their survival. I consider them enemies of progress. I hear the Fulani of Nigeria are no different. In Isiolo, the Samburu have been doing the same thing to the Somali and Turkana, but I hear things have calmed down.

Edit:
Or not... this was posted 6 mins ago.

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Somalis similarly used to conduct raids/ retaliatory raids on their Samburu neighbours during the colonial era but while you guys evolved, these nomads are still stuck in their primitive ways.

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