Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina (left), Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku (centre) and other Maa leaders in a past event.
Tension is running high in Kajiado over a controversial political meeting being organised by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina against the wishes of Kajiado elected leaders.
On Thursday, Mr Ole Kina is planning to host Maasai community members at Sajiloni in Dalalekutuk Ward, Kajiado Central, a move that has been opposed by Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Senator Samuel Seki and a cross-section of ward representatives allied to both President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance and Azimio coalition.
Mr Ole Kina's meeting has been fashioned as an empowerment meeting for local groups, but local political operatives have read a sinister motive alleging exclusion and lack of involvement.
Mr Lenku was the first to throw a political salvo at Mr Ole Kina, terming him a busybody playing divisive politics.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
Last week, the Kajiado Chapter of the Maasai Council of Elders, led by their Chairman Richard Oloitipitip, opposed the meeting in Sajiloni, saying it was "clan-based and meant to divide the local communities ".
Mr Oloitipitip and his executive committee warned Mr Ole Kina against what they termed as auctioning the Maa community for a selfish political agenda.
"Ledama is a known political broker who has been recruited to influence the politics of Kajiado ahead of 2027 polls. It is very unfortunate that he has not consulted the elected leaders in the County. He needs to concentrate on Narok issues, not Kajiado matters," said Mr Oloitipitip.
Mr Ole Kina's mission in Kajiado, he said, was "provocative and disrespectful" to the people of Kajiado.
"We have elected leaders in the county from different political parties. When a matter is of community interest, we shed off our political affiliations and work together. Ledama's meeting is sowing seeds of discord among residents," he said.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
The council Treasurer Jude Ole Ncharo said the Maasai community, which supported ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2022 polls, is in the government, courtesy of the broad-based arrangement between Dr Ruto and Mr Odinga.
"Raila has already paid our bus fare to the government. We are in government," said Mr Ole Ncharo. "We don't want any political broker to purport to take us to President Ruto's administration."
On Friday, Kajiado youth, led by their chairman Elian Martine and youth President Shadrach Wenger Saigilu, joined the fray and declared that Mr Ole Kina's meeting was an insult to Kajiado leadership.
"Ledama is being backed by people who want to assume leadership of Kajiado and they are using outsiders. We must tell State House to tame its officers against dividing the Maasai community in Kajiado," said Mr Martine.
His remarks are in reference to reports that a senior State House official eyeing a top seat in Kajiado, but careful not to engage in active politics, is fronting Mr Ole Kina to run early campaigns for him.
Kajiado Senator Samuel Seki.
Despite the growing opposition and criticism, Mr Ole Kina has upped his mobilisation for the meeting set for Thursday by buying several bulls from Ilbissil market that he said on his X account will be distributed to eight groups to start a breeding business.
The Narok senator has also deployed some machinery to construct an access road to Eiti village, in Sajiloni, where the meeting is supposed to take place.
The Narok County politician, known for his abrasive politics, has dismissed Kajiado politicians, saying he does not need permission to hold any rally in Kajiado.
"I have several homes in Kajiado. I am a resident of Kajiado too. I do not require any permission to hold a rally in Kajiado. The politicians’ selfish bureaucracies have always affected our people," he said when he addressed Kajiado residents last week.
Meanwhile, tension is building up, with hundreds of uninvited youths vowing to attend the disputed meeting.
