The unveiling of the Forum for Economic Development Agenda (FEDA), a political party associated with Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku, is expected to reshape the political landscape in Maa-dominated counties ahead of the 2027 General Election, potentially giving the community greater bargaining power in negotiations with both the United Opposition and the broad-based government.
The largely white-and-blue-themed party was unveiled on Friday at Ufungano House in Nairobi under the mantra of Justice and Prosperity. It seeks to provide an alternative political vehicle for marginalised and minority communities.
Governor Lenku, who was unveiled as FEDA's party leader, said marginalised communities, including the Maa, had for years been treated as political "top-ups" in the national political arena.
"We (FEDA) are not here to ask for favor. We are not here to seek for help. We are here to demand our dignity. We are here to demand justice. We are here to demand justice for those who feel they are marginalized. We have met all registration requirements for our party and no amount of intimidation will slow us down," said Mr Lenku.
Forum for Economic Development Agenda (FEDA) Party leader and Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku(center) is installed as the party leader during the party’s official launch at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on November 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi| Nation Media Group
He said the party would build alliances with like-minded political parties as equal partners but did not disclose which political side it would align with ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"I appreciate political leaders who congratulated me on this noble cause but they were afraid of political persecution. The party will fight for a space at the national table and conversation, including historical injustices," he added.
The launch attracted political leaders from across the region, including representatives from Maa-dominated counties such as Narok and Samburu, as well as several of Governor Lenku's county political allies affiliated with the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
FEDA Secretary-General Professor Meitamei Ololdapash, from Narok, said the party sought to establish an institutional foundation and open a new chapter in the participation of minority and marginalised communities in Kenya's democratic process.
"Our political vision must be anchored in principles, purpose, and clear understanding of the challenges and aspirations of the people that we as a party seek to serve," said Prof Meitamei.
He accused state machinery of attempting to frustrate the party's unveiling through what he termed political persecution of Governor Lenku on Thursday night.
He claimed unnamed senior government officials had threatened to arrest the governor and arraign him in court over a corruption case unless he called off the launch.
"Threats to arrest our party leader (Joseph Lenku) were ill-timed and a violation of his rights and that of a duly registered political party in a multiparty state," said Prof Meitamei.
Delegates wave during the official launch of the Forum for Economic Development Agenda (FEDA) Party at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on November 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi| Nation Media Group
Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina echoed the accusations, describing the alleged threats as cowardly and driven by selfish politicians.
The entry of Mr Lenku, who is serving his second and final term as governor after being elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, with an alternative political vehicle could complicate efforts by both the United Opposition and the broad-based government to inherit ODM's political stronghold ahead of the 2027 polls.
Forum for Economic Development Agenda (FEDA) Party leader and Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku(center) during the party’s official launch at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on November 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi| Nation Media Group
In the 2022 General Election, Raila Odinga and William Ruto were closely matched in the three Maa-dominated counties, with the opposition leader polling 360,000 votes against Mr Ruto's 325,000, a difference of 35,000 votes.
In Kajiado, Mr Odinga garnered 158,556 votes against Mr Ruto's 148,448. In Narok, he received 159,455 votes while Mr Ruto polled 148,310. In Samburu, Mr Odinga was backed by 41,737 voters against Mr Ruto's 28,329.
Following Mr Odinga's death in 2025 and the formation of the broad-based government, both the opposition and the government have been seeking to inherit his support base. However, Lenku's FEDA could complicate that political contest.
President William Ruto has recently been seeking to make political inroads in Kajiado, where he faces competition from his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), with the support of Senator Samuel Seki and Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, recently managed to woo at least eight serving MCAs and several political aspirants.
During a three-day development tour of Kajiado in September, President Ruto sought to consolidate his support among the county's electorate.
President William Ruto addresses residents of Kajiado County on September 3, 2026 when he commenced a three-day tour of the county.
Photo credit: PCS
Governor Lenku was booed and heckled, while broad-based government MPs from the county criticised him over his political position.
At a rally in Kitengela, Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi challenged Governor Lenku, in the presence of President Ruto, to declare his political allegiance amid jeers from members of the public, underscoring his significance in the 2027 political contest.
"Lenku says one term. You cannot be with President during the day and with the opposition at night," roared Mr Memusi.
Political pundits, however, see DCP as a potential casualty of FEDA's unveiling, particularly given the political divisions recently witnessed within the United Opposition camp in Kajiado.
Two weeks ago, Jubilee leader Fred Matiang'i and People's Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro held a major rally in Ong'ata Rongai, attracting two female aspirants who had previously been associated with DCP.
"I moved to PPK from DCP for political inclusivity, where different options don't mean enmity," said Susan Last, who decamped to PPK.
In what was seen as an attempt to counter Jubilee and PPK's possible inroads, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua held his first rally in Ong'ata Rongai a week later, following a two-month visit to the United States.
Kajiado Senator Samuel Seki, however, dismissed suggestions that FEDA's unveiling would affect DCP's dominance in Kajiado and other Maa-dominated counties.
"FEDA will not in any way sway the DCP party dominance. DCP is gaining tentacles rapidly not only in Kajiado but countrywide," said Mr Seki.
Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo echoed the sentiments, saying that if FEDA aligned itself with opposition partners, their political objectives would remain the same.
"The ideology for all opposition political parties are the same: to dislodge Kenya Kwanza government in 2027 poll. If FEDA stands for the same we might exchange friendly fire aiming the same enemy," said Mr Ngogoyo.
In 2017, several years after leaving the Interior docket, Mr Lenku mounted an intensive grassroots campaign under the Jubilee Party to defeat incumbent Governor David Nkedianye.
In 2022, with his political fortunes in Jubilee diminishing, he switched to ODM at the last minute and managed to withstand the UDA yellow wave, retaining his seat by defeating Katoo Ole Metito.
