Ntimama under siege amid generation change wave

By Kipchumba Kemei

Cabinet Minister William ole Ntimama's near-fanatical support from his Maasai Community over the years seems to be fading.

Twice in a month, the Heritage Minister has suffered public humiliation in Naivasha, where rowdy youth have humiliated him.

Since he joined Parliament in 1988, the words of the Narok North MP have always been revered.

"The recent incident where he was booed in Naivasha by people young enough to be his grandsons indicates that his influence is growing thin.

"It is time he reconsidered his political strategy or thought about passing the leadership baton to another age set," observes Jackson Saika, the chairman of the Maasai Professionals Association.

Saika adds that it is uncommon for young people to show disrespect to the old, saying the recent events clearly illustrate there is need for a change of leadership. The new Constitution has accelerated the need to change leadership in Maasai land. In the next General Election we will have many young people vying for positions," he says.

Ntimama and other old politicians before him have held the community together because it is disrespect to go against elders.

Any disrespect against elders in the Maasai community is said to attract a curse.

Recently, participants at a women’s meeting in Narok town, were told that next year would be a turning point in Maasai leadership. The old would be prevailed upon to relinquish leadership positions.

"We respect the old but it is about time they left the stage for the young and energetic leaders," said the convener Patricia Parsitau.

Rowdy youth

Maasai political commentators say while other communities have started backing their people for president, Ntimama is yet to tell the Maasai, as their spokesperson, whom to support.

He and almost a half of the entire Maasai leadership have since 2007 been staunch supporters of Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

But some community leaders led by Defence Assistant Minister Joseph Nkaiserry, Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchela and his Narok South counterpart Nkoidila ole Lankas recently told Internal Security Minister George Saitoti to vie for president.

"Ntimama is yet to tell us who he wants us to support," says a Kajiado councillor who requested not to be named because he would be viewed as a traitor.

Ntimama was booed by youth in Naivasha when he went to arbitrate on a land feud at Olkaria.

His bodyguards were forced to whip out their guns to scare the rowdy youth, who did not even allow him to get out of his vehicle.

The minister could, in the face of apparent opposition, go for a county slot in the General Election, due next year. But those close to him say he will defend his seat, arguing that due his advanced age, he may not have the energy to campaign for either the senate or the governorship in the vast county that includes Trans Mara.

But there are others who say he will not offer himself for re-election due to his advanced age.

"He is alive to the fact that he needs to leave the stage before the curtain falls on him. He doesn’t want to be embarrassed," says his confidant, who declined to be named for fear of losing his favours.

It is rumoured that his daughter Lydia Masikonde would vie for the seat if he opts to call it a day.

Ntimama hails from the populous Purko Maasai clan, which has continued to dominate leadership and decision-making.

Realignments have started in the county, but the silence by the once fire spitting minister is too loud.

Overwhelming support

"I think it is still too early to assemble a working team. There is still time. They cannot also rule out working with the old because they have done a lot to the community and will want their blessings," says Daniel Kiptunen, who is eyeing the governor’s seat.

Ntimama fought many battles with the late Minister for State Justus ole Tipis before unseating him in the controversial 1988 General Election through the infamous queue-voting system. The Narok North legislator, who belongs to the Nyangusi age set, the top-most in Maasai hierarchy, is credited with marshalling the community to reject the Wako Draft Constitution in 2005.

In the last successful referendum he rallied behind the ‘Yes’ campaign, which saw the overwhelming support for the new Constitution.

"The community will take long to have another politician like ‘Bill’. He is one person who can think fast and organise things in the defence of the community interest," says Rimoine Togom, a Narok County Council councillor for Siyapei ward.