Rift looms over Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku’s double speak
Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku has been speaking from both sides of his mouth.
Barely a month after he endorsed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the presidency, Lenku on Monday backed Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga for the same seat.
In a meeting held at Ongata Rongai on Monday, Lenku who doubles up as the Maa spokesperson said as a community, they had consulted widely and settled on Raila for the top seat.
Earlier, in a much publicised Ukambani leaders consultative meeting held on August 6 at Lenku’s residence in Kajiado, the governor pledged his support for the Wiper leader, urging the Kamba community in the county to support his re-election as governor, and in return he will rally Kajiado residents to support Kalonzo for the presidency.
“I know as a Kamba community, you did not support me in the 2017 because you did not believe in me.
I have now given you reasons to believe in me, from employment to ensuring that as a community, you get a sense of belonging while living and working in Kajiado,” he said then.
He added: “ I humble myself and ask for your votes. I also pledge to support Kalonzo’s presidential bid and we will closely work together to deliver the country top seat.”
During the Raila meeting former Olkejuado County council chairman Tarayia ole Kores told Lenku to stop blowing hot and cold.
“Politics is about having a stand. A leader ought to have a very strong unwavering stand. We saw Lenku endorse Kalonzo the other day,”said Kores.
Lenku said the resolve to support Raila was a community interest.
“My rallying call has always been unity of Kajiado residents. We are happy as a community that Raila’s vision for this country is driven by the unity of purpose.
As a Jubilee leader, we appreciate the Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila,” Lenku said on Monday.
“We as a community are here to support this noble unity call. We are also here to pledge our support Raila’s 2022 presidential ambitions.
He has demonstrated that he is capable to unite the country and he has the best interest for the Maa people. We will support him,”he said.
Lenku’s double speak is likely to cause a political rift between him and his Ukambani allies including chief administrative secretary in the ministry of Transport Wavinya Ndeti and Kitui senator Enock Wambua.
The two leaders have been very vocal rallying the Ukambani natives living in Kajiado to support Lenku’s re-election.
“Lenku’s declaration to support Raila will definitely have consequences on his relationship with the Kamba nation.
He has had intense engagement with Kambas and promised them to support one of their own. The trust is now shaky,’’ said Abdi Shariff, a political analyst.
