R. Kiprono Cheruiyot is Kipsigis, not Nandi

As far as I know Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot is a Nandi just like Cornelius and William Chirchir are Nandis. These people were born in Kericho/Bomet but live and train in Nandi. Whether Nandi, Kisii, Kikuyu, Jaluo, Kamba or Kipsigis doesn't really matter. It is like wondering whether Jeremy Wariner is black or white. The fact is he is a runner and an American period. We all are Kenyans and if Kiprono is your neighbor, just chill becuz he is still gonna be your neigbor-he is not going to run away to Eldoret or some other place.

In the NYTimes article, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot said he was Kipsigis and that Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot was Nandi. And sure they are both Kenyans and both Kalenjin, but there haven't been many famous runners from the Kipsigis so I was very happy for them. I have friends among the Kipsigis.

William Sigei, Paul Kipsiele, Edwin Soi, Paul Tanui not to mention linet Chepkurui, Mercy Cherono etc. I agree there are not many of them but I think that is about to change. #2,#3 and #4 in this year's world junior xc were/are Kipsigis(I believe products of the disbanded Kiptenden Track Club) [quote]fact checker wrote:

I wasn't just making this up. I heard "The Younger" say he was Nandi. Perhaps we can go back to the media conference replay (flotrack?) to see this.

I wrote it down that The Younger said he himself was Nandi.

If I'm wrong let me know. NY Times could be wrong. I could be wrong. Not sure.

-emory

Employee #1 , I heard R Kiprono C speak at the conference and I think you misunderstood what he meant.He talked of him being a Kipsigis and the other R Kipruto C being a Nandi.But does it really matter?

Employee #1 wrote:

I wasn't just making this up. I heard "The Younger" say he was Nandi. Perhaps we can go back to the media conference replay (flotrack?) to see this.

I wrote it down that The Younger said he himself was Nandi.

If I'm wrong let me know. NY Times could be wrong. I could be wrong. Not sure.

-emory

He is Kipsigis. His nickname is also "Kipsigis."

No, it is "Kipsigisindet".

That is the same thing ndungu.

Emory,

I was at the press conference as well. There was a lot going on and Robert speaks softly, so I'm not surprised there was some confusion.

He did say he was Kipsigis and that Kipkoech is Nandi, though. And that makes sense--I believe "the younger" is from the Bomet area and Kalenjins from around there are Kipsigis. Kipkoech Cheruiyot is from Kapsabet, which is Nandi territory.

In response to the other posters: it matters to Robert or he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of drawing a distinction. That's enough for me.

pablosan

Employee #1 wrote:NY Times could be wrong.

The NY Times is NEVER wrong. Someone from the regime will be by to re-educate you shortly.

Employee #1 wrote:

I wasn't just making this up. I heard "The Younger" say he was Nandi. Perhaps we can go back to the media conference replay (flotrack?) to see this.

I wrote it down that The Younger said he himself was Nandi.

If I'm wrong let me know. NY Times could be wrong. I could be wrong. Not sure.

-emory

I wasn't at the presser and even the way the NYTimes has it worded could easily be taken the wrong way. But I'm 99% sure Robert the Younger is Kipsigis. I must admit, I thought LRC had simply assumed he was Nandi since more of the famous Kalenjin runners tend to be Nandi, but certainly not all (Catherine Ndereba and Sammy Wanjiru are not even Kalenjin).

Of coure, each of the sub-tribes in the Kalenjin have their own dialects and separate identities. So it's a matter of pride when one from your sub-tribe excels, especially since the Kipsigis haven't been as famous for producing runners like the Nandi.

Kenyan runners are like a tribe of its own. They do not categorize themselves as from this or that tribe. They might say where they come from(city-wise) and that is about it. The only reason why Kiprono felt it important to say he is Kipsigis is for identity purpose. It will not surprise if their names read: Robert Cheruiyot, the Nandi and Robert Cheruiyot, the Kipsigis. That is a short term solution because already there are at least one more Robert Cheruiyot though not as famous yet.

I'll admit I was wrong. Also, I must apologize for hinting that the NY Times might be incorrect. Thanks to the visitor in the tinted, unmarked SUV yesterday who gently informed me that the NY times has never been and never will be wrong.