Raila, Kalonzo back Lenku’s call for political ‘zoning’ of Maa counties

Azimio la Umoja principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka have supported calls by leaders from the Maa community to have political seats reserved for locals.

Raila and Kalonzo have now backed Governor Joseph Ole Lenku’s push to have certain political seats in Kajiado, Samburu and Narok counties “zoned off” specially for members of Maa communities.
Lenku recently stirred a storm with calls for immigrant communities residing in the three counties not to seek elective seats.

He announced that the Maa community will present a memorandum to the National Dialogue Committee co-chaired by Kalonzo and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to seek the protection of marginalised communities against political onslaught by immigrant communities.

“There is no community that has hosted more Kenyans than the Maasai. We do not want anybody to abuse our hospitality by taking up our leadership positions. We want these positions left for natives to guarantee peace and harmony,” said Lenku at an inter-denominational prayer service in Kajiado town on Sunday attended by Raila and Kalonzo.

Lenku added that the failure to safeguard the seats was the cause of internal conflicts between immigrant and host communities.

“We want to protect these seats in Kajiado, Narok, Samburu and some parts of Laikipia and Isiolo. We want Kenyans who come here to do business or even settle among us to leave us alone to conduct our politics in our own way,” said Lenku.

Conducive environment

He said he had consulted the clergy in the three counties and agreed that they would support the memorandum.

“In fact, the prayers today were dedicated to pray for our political autonomy as a community even as we offer a conducive environment for other communities to thrive here,” said Lenku.

Raila called for the respect of host communities when it comes to running for political offices.

“We want the fundamental political rights of host communities respected. You can’t come to do business then develop political interests and remove the leadership of the local community. It is not right. We support the preservation of these seats for local people,” said Raila.

The calls for protection of the seats seem to emanate from raging conflicts between the Samburu and Maasai in Laikipia and Isiolo where immigrant communities have taken up some leadership positions.