The True Meaning Behind the Kalenjin Saying: "Matiny ngo samis muryan kobo kot nebo"

 By William Kiptoo

There is a Kalenjin proverb that has gained popularity in recent years, especially among politicians seeking to mobilize ethnic support: "Matiny ngo samis muryan kobo kot nebo." Roughly translated, it means: "Even if a rat is rotten, it belongs to the house it comes from."

In contemporary political contexts, this proverb has been reduced to a simplistic and often harmful message: always support your own—your tribe—no matter what. It has become a rallying cry for blind ethnic loyalty, leading to support for individuals based solely on tribal identity, even when they are unworthy of leadership or integrity.

However, this is a misrepresentation of the proverb's true origin and deeper meaning.

The Origin Story

Renowned Kalenjin secular artist Kipchamba, in one of his songs, narrates the true origin of this saying. It’s a tale of family, reconciliation, and the enduring bond of brotherhood.

Long ago, there were two brothers who were very close. But one of them grew distant after forming a deep friendship with another man. Over time, this friendship caused a rift between the brothers—they no longer saw eye to eye, and their relationship fell apart.

The estranged brother, together with his wife, was deeply saddened by the separation. The wife, determined to bring the brothers back together, devised a clever plan to reveal who truly loved her husband.

She brewed traditional beer and placed it in a pot, which she then stored in the tabut—the ceiling area in a traditional African hut used for storing food. Alongside the beer, she placed a dead rat, allowing it to rot over several days.

Then, she went to the husband's friends, neighbors, and even his close companion—the one who had driven a wedge between the brothers—and told them that she had found her husband’s body in the tabut. She pleaded for help to bring it down so it could be buried.

One by one, the friends and neighbors refused. Even his closest friend was too afraid and ran away. Left with no other option, she sent for the estranged brother.

When he arrived and was told his brother had died, he didn’t hesitate. He agreed to retrieve the "body," saying, “The dead belong to the family.”

The wife led him to the house, pointed to the tabut, and asked him to climb up. The smell was unbearable, but he braved it. As he reached up to retrieve the "body," his brother, very much alive, startled him, saying:

"Hey, careful not to knock me. Where have you been all these days? Now, get this beer pot down so we can celebrate and reunite. I’ll get the rat down—you can bury it in my place, as you were ready to do."

It was a powerful moment of reconciliation, one that proved family ties run deeper than temporary disagreements or outside influences.

That’s the true origin of the proverb: "Matiny ngo samis muryan kobo kot nebo." It is not a call for blind loyalty or ethnic favoritism.

It's time to return to its true meaning. It’s not about standing with someone because they are “yours”—but standing with them when it truly matters, as family should.