Maasai elders confirm Lenku as spokesman

Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku, when he was confirmed Maasai community spokesman, yesterday at his rural home in Kajiado South. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

After years of searching, the Maasai Council of Elders has confirmed Governor Joseph ole Lenku as the community spokesman.

More than 800 elders, representing six Maa counties, converged yesterday at Lenku’s rural home in Lenkisim, Kajiado South, where they handed him instruments of power.

The instruments included a shield, spear, and a traditional stole. Other documents handed to him included the Constitution that guides the elders; a registration certificate and a pin number.

The ceremony was meant to confirm that Lenku had been anointed the Maa community leader, taking the mantle from the late William Ntimama, who died in 2016.

The governor was confirmed by elders of the respected Ilnyangusi age set and witnessed by others from the Iseuri and Irkitoip age sets as a show of consensus on the decision.

Yesterday’s ceremony was a follow-up of a coronation event that was done in Nakuru County in November last year, which was attended by elders representing the community from Kajiado, Narok, Samburu, Nakuru, Baringo and Laikipia counties.

The ceremony was led by long-serving chairman of the Maa Council of Elders John Maitai, who handed over a leadership baton.

A former minister during the late President Daniel Moi’s regime David ole Sankori led yesterday’s event.

“We are warning those opposed to this anointment, we want to tell them today that it is over; Lenku is our spokesman on matters culture and the welfare of the Maa community. That is why we have handed him the instruments of power and government documents for him to be custodian,” said Sankori.