Fight for Kajiado’s political kingpin intensifies ahead of 2027 elections

Two legislators have told Governor Joseph Lenku to ignore Katoo ole Metito’s appeals to drop the idea of forming a Maa political party.

Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko and Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, told Lenku they had his blessings and advised him to form a Maa political party.

State House Comtroller, Metito, has variously warned Lenku against forming a tribal political party, saying it is aimed at confusing the Maa community.

Tobiko and Ngogoyo, who are both from the ruling party UDA, also invited Lenku to work with the government.

Ngogoyo told Lenku he is free to form a political party that will support the UDA in the 2027 general election, adding that President William Ruto has no qualms with it.

“An individual at State House cannot dictate upon us and even warn our governor against forming a village party,” said Ngogoyo.

He said the President has no condition but will work with Lenku’s planned party.

The leaders were reacting to remarks attributed to Metito, two weeks ago, at the home of former Kajiado West MP Moses Sakuda, when he warned Lenku against forming a village party.

At the home of Sakuda, Metito rapped at Lenku and accused him of allegedly planning to form a Maa party with the aim of dividing the community.

Metito was receiving Jubilee Party defectors including Sakuda and former Kajiado governor David Nkedianye, when he cautioned Lenku against forming a “village” party that would lead the Maasai to nowhere.

In a rejoinder, the legislators during a thanksgiving party of an ODM MCA, Mildred Risancho last Saturday in Imaroro Ward, told Metito to stay aside and concentrate on the work the president assigned him and leave politics to politicians.  

“We can only recognise our president for he will listen when we say we will work with him. We are the elected leaders with all our ears on the ground and what is trending is that the Maasai are united in support of our UDA party leader,” said Ngogoyo.

Tobiko and Ngogoyo broke ranks with Metito soon after the latter was appointed State House Comptroller.

Others from the party who broke ranks with Metito are Kajiado senator Kanar Seki and several elected UDA MCAs in the county, including the speaker, Justus Ngossor and his deputy Daniel Kukan.

The MCAs from the UDA party have opted to support Governor Lenku after disagreeing with Metito.

Tobiko said she is in UDA and is not ready to go to any other party, adding that she will support the president to his last term.

“The earlier you people know that we are all equal in UDA, the better. UDA is not Metito, neither is it me - UDA is William Samoei Ruto,” said Tobiko.

“Some people wanted us there, but we are here. Some never wanted us to be appointed, but we got the appointment,” said Tobiko without naming names.

She said that during the UDA party nominations, he [no name] played them and her team avenged on the ballot in the 2022 general elections.

Tobiko said the person who played her in the party nominations ahead of the last general elections also lost the governor's seat.

“We both lost. If we want to win, let us respect one another. We are inviting all to join us in UDA, including Governor Lenku.

If the governor wants to come using his party, we don't have a problem, bora akuje kwa meza (let him come to the table),” she said.

Senator Seki said Kajiado politicians should sit down together and agree on the way forward.

“We need many people to join us in UDA. We have a president to support and should not appear to be divided,” said Seki.

Metito is currently working closely with Kajiado Women Rep, Leah Sankaire after most of the elected leaders in UDA left him.

Lenku said he always looks forward to promoting women's leadership in the county.

He kept away from his usual attack on Metito and let his ground soldiers do the job for him. 

What has brought division in Kajiado politics is that both sides of the divide - Lenku on one side, and Metito on the other - have an interest in the gubernatorial seat in 2027.

Lenku does not want Metito to succeed him for reasons best known to him. The governor wants another person other than Metito or Nkedianye.

On Lenku’s side is Tobiko, DG Martin Moshisho, Kajiado South MP Samuel Sakimba, Kajiado East MP Kakuta Maimai and Senator Seki of UDA. 

In the 2027 gubernatorial race, Lenku is likely going to pick either his deputy, Seki or Tobiko.

Metito is worried that if Lenku forms a political party, he (Lenku) may become more popular than him and may even spoil his chances of becoming the next governor.

Nkedianye, who seems to be working with Metito, is yet to agree on who between them will vie for the top seat.

After most of the elected UDA leaders moved to Lenku’s side, Metito is now left with Kajiado Women Rep Leah Sankaire and Kajiado West MP George Sunkuyia, who is still in talking terms with Governor Lenku.