Kajiado governor Joseph Ole Lenku will now serve his second term as the county’s governor after he was re-elected.
This is after the governor-elect who was contesting the seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket garnered 117,600 trouncing his opponents.
Katoo Ole Metito (UDA) emerged second with 111,725 votes, David Nkedianye (Jubilee) came third with 75,337 votes while Ambrose Kago (Independent) emerged fourth after he got 2,661 votes.
Lenku survived the UDA wave despite the party bagging the Woman’s parliamentary position, the Senatorial position, the majority of the Member of County Assembly (MCA) (13 out of 25) and two out of five parliamentary seats.
Political analysts also stated that beside the intense campaigns Lenku conducted, his style of politics stood out because he chose not to attack other contestants but focused more on his agenda of uniting the people of Kajiado.
“We saw tremendous improvement and political maturity from Lenku during this poll he was much focused on what he intends to do if elected and advanced his narrative of unity. He chose to detest from politics of attacking opponents,”Eric Nyamose, a political analyst lamented.
According to Nyamose, Lenku who had an opponent within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance, (former Governor David Nkedianye of the Jubilee party) played safe by embracing contestants within the coalition rather than pitting his ODM line up against them.
“We saw that throughout the campaign period Lenku embraced all candidates within the Azimio coalition in his campaign. This has worked to his advantage because voters felt he was proofing the need of unity of purpose among Kajiado leaders. The manner in which he carried himself is a factor that saw him getting additional voters from UDA supporters,”Nyamose added.
During the campaign period, Lenku accompanied other contestants within the Azimio coalition and gave them an equal platform to campaign for their respective seats.
“I was in the Senator race on a Wiper party and I supported Lenku by choice. This is because he allowed us as contestants of other positions to freely campaign in his meetings and rallies,” Gedion Toimasi a candidate stated.
For instance when in his campaign trail at Kajiado South Constituency he was accompanied by parliamentary aspirants Samuel Parashina (ODM) who is now the MP elect, Nina Livondo (PNU) and Saibulu Wenger (TSP).
In all instances, the candidates were offered an equal chance to woo voters.
The twist of allowing a TSP candidate a chance in his rallies excited many and was seen as a very special move. Campaigning along competing opponents Jeniffer Moinket (ODM) and Josphine Tito (WIPER) stood out.
The two lost to UDA candidate Leah Sankaire who is now the Kajiado women MP elect.
