Maasai leader must be respected by community

A maasai elder [PHOTO:Courtesy]

One cannot be a Maasai spokesperson or their leader if he is not respected and if he has not been blessed by elders to carry the mantle.

The coveted position has enormous responsibilities, like shepherding the community and leading in making decisions affecting the community, however hard they may be.

In normal circumstances, elders meet and pick a respected, honest and the eldest member — now a Nyangusi — the highest age set to lead the community. The Ilntarito, the eldest is now extinct.

Before one is given the position, his behaviour and leadership skills are closely examined.

Elders then meet at a secluded place where animals —cows, goats and sheep —are slaughtered for feasting and carrying out the ritual of blessing the selected candidate.

Though there are various clans in the entire Maa-speaking regions, the selected candidate is respected and his word is final on matters affecting the community. Currently, the Maa are in the process of identifying one because former Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama — a Nyangusi — is ageing.

The clamour to have somebody to replace him has been gaining momentum, with some saying the mantle should be given to Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery who hails from the Nterekeiya age-group while others want Narok Senator Stephen ole Ntutu, a Rikitoip.

Nterekeiya is a higher age-set than Rikitoip. Those in the Nterekeiya age-group  are between 68 and 72 years, while the Rikitoip are between 45 and 68.

Ntimama has been championing the rights  since the 1980s when he was the defunct Narok County council chairman. His influence grew significantly when he became the Narok North MP in 1988.

Earlier, senior chief Ole Sankale was the community leader long before Ntimama came to the arena. When Ntimama took over as Senior Chief, the late Lerionka ole Ntutu, the younger Ntutu’s father, was still alive.

Both chiefs belonged to the Nyangusi age set. If the community decides to pick somebody from a lower age set, it will be the first time it is doing so.