The origin of the word is unknown though Huntinford speculates that the word orkoiyot derives from koiyo. The word predates the office it would represent among the Nandi as evinced by its presence in other Kalenjin communities e.g Kony and Suk. It was originally applied to a class of wizards who were perceived to be of a benevolent nature and were thus tolerated and were distinct from ponik, a class of wizards who were perceived to only be evil. Huntingford notes that the men-folk of the Kamwaike oret were the traditional orkoiik in Nandi before the Masai family of Kapuso took the pre-eminence from them.
History
Origins
The office that the Orkoiyot held was referred to as the Orkoinotet and was established among the Nandi by Kipsegun, a Segelai Maasai. The abilities that distinguished an Orkoiyot were hereditary and thus the office passed on to his son Arap Kipsegun though their dynasty was short-lived and ended with the son. The second dynasty was founded through a woman named Moki chebo Cheplabot, the wife of a Maasai Laibon who fled during a war with the Nandi while pregnant. She later bore two sons, Kopokoii and Barsapotwa, while hiding in caves near Keben in the Mogobich Valley. Moki and her sons, the former who would become the first Orkoiyot of the second and last dynasty, were captured and adopted into the Talai clan. The Talai are a widespread Kalenjin clan and among the Nandi are aligned with the Lion Totem.
Genealogical Table
The Orkoinotet lasted for over fifty years and went through a period of a dual administration during the time of Arap Kipsegun and Kopokoii until the former was ousted.
Administrative structure of the Nandi
The Orkoiik were recognized across Nandi as being at the head of the governance system. They did not however play a large role in the affairs of everyday life; which were handled by the Kiruogik, heads of the districts and direct representatives of the people.
Kiruogik
The Kiruogindet was spokesman or counselor chosen by the people in each district. They were responsible to the Orkoiyot through the Maotiot for the good governance of their respective districts and the enrollment of troops in time of war.
Maotik
The Orkoiyot appointed one Maotiot in each district to represent the Orkoiyot at the district level.
