Metito dares Lenku to form new party, announces 2027 ambition

State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito (center), former Kajiado West MP Moses Ole Sakuda (left), and former Governor David Nkedianye during a meeting at Sakuda's residence, on Sunday, October 1, 2023. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

A political showdown is looming in Kajiado County as State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito has challenged Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to form his own party.

Metito, who is also the former Kajiado South MP, accused Lenku of dividing the residents along political and tribal lines, while pretending to support the government of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He was speaking at Kimunka village on Sunday, October 1, during a meeting at the former Kajiado West MP Moses Ole Sakuda's residence, where he hosted a section of leaders from the ruling United Democratic Party (UDA).

Among them were former Governor David Nkedianye, Speaker of the County Assembly Joseph Ngosor, County Women Rep Leah Sankaire, and Kajiado Jubilee Senatorial candidate Moses Ole Sakuda, who defected to UDA.

Metito said he was aware of Lenku's plans to launch a new political party, associated with him and his allies, and dared him to do so.

"If you know you are a real man, then form that village party that you are about to launch. We will make sure that you don't even get a single Member of County Assembly in this county," said Metito.

He also announced his intention to vie for the governor's seat in 2027, saying he will give it a second attempt after losing to Lenku in 2022 by a narrow margin.

Metito garnered 111,725 votes against Lenku's 117,600 votes in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

He appealed to the UDA supporters not to be misled by the new formation meant to divide them along tribal lines.

"We have seen leaders pushing us into clan and tribal lines. This should stop if we want our county to get where other counties are," he said.

"We must start preparing early for the big battle. This time we must get into the county top office," he added.

Sakuda also led a handful of his supporters to declare their support for the current government and vowed to popularize UDA in the county.

"We will from today start popularizing this party. We must also make sure that all our people are in this party so that they benefit development-wise," said Sakuda.