Lenku slams patriarchy for locking women out of power in Kajiado
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku. He has challenged Maa community to dismantle barriers blocking women from leadership.
What you need to know:
- Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku has condemned patriarchy in local politics.
- He said the exclusion of women from leadership is hindering development and challenged women to vie for positions in 2027.
Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku has called out patriarchy in local politics, saying it undermines development and has no place in modern society.
Speaking at a public function in Kajiado on Tuesday, the governor — who also serves as Maa community spokesperson — said men have consistently trampled on gender equality in leadership, silencing women's voices.
"Kajiado politics remains a male-dominated affair. In the 2022 general elections, only the Women Representative was elected. I am sure if a man had vied for that seat, he would have beaten the female candidate. This is backward politics," Lenku said.
Currently, all five constituencies are represented in the National Assembly by men, as is the Senate seat. Of the 25 wards, not a single woman was elected as Member of County Assembly (MCA); only a few serve in nominated positions.
Maa community
In his own cabinet, Lenku has appointed three female County Executive Committee members and several female Chief Officers and senior administrators.
The governor said the time has come for the Maa community to amplify women's voices in both politics and the corporate sector. He pledged to rally political leaders in Maa counties — including Narok, Baringo, and Samburu — to address systemic barriers such as cultural norms, limited financial resources, and political violence.
"In some instances, women have excelled better than men in the dockets they head in this county. Our county lags behind in development because women's voices are not represented at the resource-sharing table," he said. "While other communities are empowering their women, we are busy marginalising them and clipping their powers."
Lenku challenged women voters to support female candidates in the 2027 elections.
"We want to see more women vie for elective positions in 2027 without intimidation or harassment. Women have excelled academically in fields previously considered male domains. It is time they climb to leadership positions," he said.
Patriarchy in Kajiado politics has persisted for decades, with few women venturing into elective politics. In 2013, Peris Tobiko — now a UDA-nominated Senator — broke through to win the newly created Kajiado East parliamentary seat despite significant resistance. She successfully defended the seat in 2017.
In 2022, Tobiko contested for governor but lost in the UDA party primaries to Katoo ole Metito, who went on to lose the general election to Lenku. She has since declared interest in the 2027 gubernatorial race.
