Nkedianye bows out of Kajiado gubernatorial race in favour of Metito
By Christine Musa, September 11, 2025First Kajiado County Governor David Nkedianye has backed off his gubernatorial bid and has now declared his interest in the Senate seat.
Speaking at Barizi, Ongata Rongai, Kajiado North, Nkedianye rallied his support for State House comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, saying he has what it takes to lead the county.
“If there is anyone who voted for me, I urge you to transfer that vote to Katoo, please. This time we will work together because Katoo has proven to be a development-oriented leader,” Nkedianye said.
Nkedianye’s public announcement ends confusion among UDA supporters of the duo, who previously engaged in a fierce battle over who should step down to increase their competitiveness against other political parties’ candidates.
Plea
“I plead with you all to support me to be your senator in 2027. I am familiar with the entire Kajiado County, and I have rich experience of the needs and challenges of Kajiado residents from the tenure I served,” he added.
Nkedianye was elected governor on an ODM ticket in 2013; he lost the seat to Joseph Ole Lenku of Jubilee in 2017, and in 2022 Lenku was re-elected on an ODM ticket, while Nkedianye, who had defected to Jubilee, lost.
On 12th September 2023, Nkedianye defected to UDA and has since been appointed as the Chairperson for the Wildlife Research and Training Institute.
Since his appointment, he has been on record popularising the re-election of President William Ruto for a second term.
With clan politics a key factor in Kajiado politics, insiders intimate that the latter was prevailed upon by his supporters to support Katoo for his popularity.
Katoo, who has been leading youths and women’s empowerment programmes in the vast county while popularising his 2027 bid, remains the top visible candidate for the seat.
This will be his second attempt for the position on a UDA ticket after he lost to Governor Joseph Ole Lenku (ODM) in 2022 in a hotly contested race.
Others who have declared interest in the seat include Martin Moshisho, who is the current deputy governor. Moshisho has since declared that he will vie on an ODM ticket.
UDA-nominated Senator Peris Tobiko is yet to declare her political vehicle, with Senator Seki Kanar (UDA) ditching the ruling party for the Democracy for Citizen Party (DCP).