As the countdown to the 2027 General Election begins, Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit has turned to ancestral traditions and spiritual grounding for blessings.
Lelelit ascended Mount Nyiro, a sacred site in Samburu County, to seek divine blessings for his re-election bid.
In a ceremony rich with cultural symbolism and spiritual significance, Lelelit led elders and members of his Lmasula clan to the revered mountain — a ritual seen not only as a spiritual quest but also as a powerful public affirmation of his leadership aspirations.
“Mount Nyiro is more than a mountain to us. It is the voice of our ancestors, the guardian of our future, and the wellspring of leadership,” said one elder who participated in the ceremony.
This marks the second time Lelelit has sought guidance from the mountain.
In 2022, ahead of his successful gubernatorial campaign, he performed a similar ceremony at the same location.
Many local leaders believe that Mount Nyiro’s spiritual power played a role in his victory, cementing the ritual as a central part of his political journey.
Mount Nyiro, which rises above the arid plains of Samburu, is not just a physical landmark — it is a cultural and spiritual epicentre for the Samburu people.
Known as a “Holy Mountain,” it serves as a place for prayer, reflection, and ancestral communion.
It also holds ecological importance, with its forested upper slopes acting as a vital water catchment area that sustains surrounding communities.
For centuries, Samburu elders have ascended Mount Nyiro to offer prayers for rain, peace, strength, and wisdom.
Some sub-clans, such as the Lmaraato, even consider the mountain to be the origin point of their lineage, symbolising continuity, humility, and leadership rooted in service.
Lelelit’s visit to Mount Nyiro is widely interpreted as an early signal of his intention to defend his seat in 2027.
Having won his first term in 2022 under the UDA ticket, Lelelit is now seeking to consolidate his support base, both politically and spiritually.
In the 2022 gubernatorial election, Lelelit defeated Dr Richard Lesiyampe of the Jubilee Party, garnering 40,740 votes to Lesiyampe’s 26,834.
Other contenders included Daniel Lekupe (Independent), who finished third, and Richard Leiyagu of the Party of Growth and Prosperity (PGP).
