In forming a new party, Ole Lenku wants to take charge of Maasai politics; however, Ole Metito, who is President William Ruto’s point man in the two counties of Kajiado and Narok, has plans of his own. Keen political observers must have noticed that Ole Metito is working around the clock trying to consolidate his support base by bringing his political opponents to the UDA party. Already, former Kajiado Governor Nkedienye has defected from the Jubilee Party to join the UDA. Former Jubilee MP Moses Sakuda has also joined the UDA party. Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi has also declared that he is working with Ruto and UDA and dared his ODM party to expel him
By The Weekly Vision Team
Plans by Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to form a Maa party ahead of the 2027 polls have rekindled the rivalry between him and State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito. The announcement by the governor seems to have rubbed Mr Metito on the wrong side after he dared Mr Lenku to form a party as a competitor to UDA in Kajiado County and, by extension, the Maasai region if he is man enough.
However, there are strong indications that ODM party leader Raila Odinga could be the brains behind the planned formation of the party to counter UDA, which is said to be making serious inroads and gaining considerable ground in the two Maa counties of Kajiado and Narok. Ole Lenku and Ole Metito vied against each other in the 2022 elections, in which Ole Lenku emerged victorious after garnering 117,600 votes on the ODM ticket, while UDA’s Ole Metito got 111,275 votes and David Nkedienye of the Jubilee Party garnered 75,337 votes.
Political analysts say that Ole Lenku, who is now serving his final term, wants to remain politically relevant after 2027 as a kingmaker in Maasai politics. Although there have been rumours that he plans to run for the Kajiado senatorial seat, he has not come out openly to declare his interest.
In forming a new party, Ole Lenku wants to take charge of Maasai politics; however, Ole Metito, who is President William Ruto’s point man in the two counties of Kajiado and Narok, has plans of his own. Keen political observers must have noticed that Ole Metito is working around the clock trying to consolidate his support base by bringing his political opponents to the UDA party. Already, former Kajiado Governor Nkedienye has defected from the Jubilee Party to join the UDA. Former Jubilee MP Moses Sakuda has also joined the UDA party. Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi has also declared that he is working with Ruto and UDA and dared his ODM party to expel him.
Analysts now say the move by Ole Lenku to form a new party is to counter the growing influence of the UDA in Kajiado County. It is imperative to note that during the last elections, the ODM party managed to secure three MP seats and eight Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats, while the UDA bagged two constituencies, 13 MCA positions, and Senator and Woman Representative Seats. The Jubilee Party only managed to win two MCA seats.
The MPs elected include Samuel Parashina (ODM), Elija Memusi (ODM), Kakuta Maimai (ODM), Onesimus Ngogoyo (UDA), and George Sunkuiya (UDA), who won the Kajiado South, Kajiado Central, Kajiado East, Kajiado North, and Kajiado West races, respectively. It is also imperative to note that UDA is already plotting how to win the Kajiado gubernatorial seat in 2027. Whereas Ole Lenku is said to be grooming his deputy, Martin Moshisho, to succeed him, the UDA team is said to be working on a plot that would see it grab the seat from ODM.
In the game plan, Ole Metito is plotting to make a second stab at the governorship and has brought Mr. Nkedienye on his side. Also said to be eyeing the governorship is Memusi, who is now serving his third term.
In the first scenario, Ole Metito could either pick Mr. Nkedienye as his running mate while Memusi goes for the senatorial seat. In a second scenario, Ole Metito could opt out of the race to retain his State House Comptroller and allow Mr Nkedienye to run with Memusi as his running mate. In this scenario, Ole Metito is aware that if Mr Nkedianye wins, he will be serving his last term to pave the way for him in 2032. However, UDA has come out in full force to oppose each plan to form a new political party in Maasai Land.
