Maasai, Kipsigis leaders trade barbs over Narok positions

Maasai and Kipsigis leaders have clashed over the position of Narok deputy governor in next year's election.

Maasai leaders proposed to choose the governor's running mate from one of their seven clans while Kipsigis leaders said the position is best suited for their community.

The tribal politics continued to take centre stage in the county as a section of politicians rallied the locals to vote as a bloc in the  governorship race.

The issue has attracted mixed reactions from two factions of the Maasai council of elders, with one claiming a purely Maasai government should be formed despite Narok being a cosmopolitan county.

The other group is rallying to bring other communities on board by giving them positions like deputy governor.

The two factions of the council of elders have already created two camps, each with its lineup and different models that should be used to succeed Governor Samuel Tunai, whose second and final term is ending.

Over the weekend, Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta, Kuntai Kool (former Olokuto MCA) and Alfred Keriolale (Narok East MP aspirant) supported the council of elders led by Kelena ole Nchoe, vowing that the next county government will be all a Maasai affair and no positions for other communities.

Two weeks ago, the council of elders said the next county government will be a Maasai affair where the populous Purko clan will go for governor and the deputy should be from a minority clan.

They said that if any leader brings a non-Maasai as deputy they shall disown him. 

The splinter group, led by Simon ole Nesiria endorsed Patrick ole Ntutu, the Labour Chief Administrative Secretary, supporting inclusion of other communities and a Kipsigis deputy governor. 

“What we are saying is we will have a governor from the Purko clan, the deputy should be from a minority clan. Anybody bringing a non-Maasai as deputy we shall disown him. We need an independent Maasai county government,” Kenta said.

He said campaigns for exclusive Maasai leadership in the county will culminate in a meeting for The Maasai Nation Ilariak Declaration on December 29, when the line-up would be drawn ahead of the 2022 elections.

Kenta added that the right of leadership for the native community must be respected and leadership positions left to them.

But in a quick rejoinder, the Kipsigis council of elders issued an ultimatum of December 31 for all governor aspirants to announce their running mates.

“We reiterate that any interested aspirant willing and ready to vouch for a close working environment with other tribes within Narok will enjoy our sincere, undivided support,” spokesman Stanley Cheruiyot said.

Cheruiyot said every Kenyan is constitutionally entitled to live anywhere in this country, just like those in Narok.

“We all know that Narok is a cosmopolitan county with people from various communities, just like Nairobi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu and many others. No one should be denied residence anywhere in Kenya as clearly spelled out in the Constitution,” he remarked.

"In this county, the Kipsigis community who comprise a substantial number of registered voters cannot also be ignored".

Edited by Henry Makori