Lenku, Tobiko escalate fight over bikers’ death in Kajiado
The fight between Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku and Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko escalated with the latter challenging the county boss to speak up on the killing of four men in Kitengela.
Speaking at Noonkopir Primary School Kitengela while commissioning classrooms, Tobiko accused Lenku of being a tribal leader.
Tobiko, who has declared interest in the governorship, claimed Lenku, who is the Maa spokesperson, has neglected immigrants in the county and was only keen on the welfare of natives.
Citing the recent murder of four bikers at Enkamuriaki Kitengela, Tobiko claimed Lenku failed to condemn the incident because it is believed it was conducted by natives.
“There is an unfortunate incident where innocent Kenyans were murdered.
Did you hear the governor condemn the incident? Lenku has chosen to be a leader of one tribe.
You need a selfless leader who is not tribal to take this county to another level,” said Tobiko.
“Lenku has failed to initiate development projects and to cover for his underperformance he has over stepped his mandate and built a public school.
He would have invested the money to improve deteriorating health services facilities which lack medicine,” said Tobiko
But Lenku dismissed Tobiko claims saying she is out to tarnish his name and incite residents on tribal lines.
Speaking while inspecting feeder roads within Kajiado town on Tuesday, Lenku said he is keen on uniting Kajiado residents warning that political detractors will not sway him.
“Kajiado is known as a hub of peaceful coexistence. Leaders inciting residents are a threat to our unity as a region.
I have been keen to unite residents from all tribes. Being a Maa leader does not translate that I am a leader of the Maa people only.
I suppose Tobiko is just jealous over my position since she could not get the position. Her continued attacks directed at are petty politics,”said Lenku.
Tobiko did not support Lenku’s candidature in 2017 despite being in one party, Jubilee Party. She backed former governor David Nkedianye who vied on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Lenku who admits Kajiado East residents did not vote for him in 2017 has been keen to invade Tobiko political stronghold of Kajiado East.
Ali Sharrif, a political analyst, reckons that Tobiko still holds considerable sway in Kajiado East which is likely to come in handy in her duel with Lenku.
“Tobiko has maintained a pattern in which she has retained support base and has managed to woe those who did not support her in 2017.
The fair distribution on bursaries has endeared her to residents across the divide,’’ says
Lenku has been keen to woe Kambas who constitute a majority of the populous Kitengela town.
He has recently been hosting leaders from Ukambani including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti who have been prevailing on Kambas to support him in 2022.
Tobiko the only woman governor position contestant has also been fighting to raid Lenku backyard. She received warm reception in Loitoktok, Kajiado South where she campaigned for the governorship.
Reelection threat
Although Lenku claims that his only threat for his reelection is the former governor, Nkedianye, analysts say Tobiko is a force is reckon with in the forth coming General Election.
“I am only contesting against Nkedianye, the other candidates are just under dogs that I do not consider as competitors,” said Lenku.
Tobiko has been criticisng the governor over water shortage in the Kitengela while Lenku has been to paint her as a divisive figure.
They political differences heightened after Lenku built a public primary School at Kitengela. The governor said he built the school with county cash because Tobiko had failed to so using constituency development funds.
Former Olkejuado chairperson Tarayia Ole Kores, Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito, former governor David Nkedianye, businessman Solomon Kinyanjui and former national transport safety authority boss Francis Meja are the other candidates eyeing the governorship.
