ODM Party leader Raila Odinga has ordered Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to offer the wife of the late Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel a job at the county with immediate effect.

Speaking during Lempurkel’s burial ceremony on Friday, September 5, 2025, in Laikipia, Raila stated that the late former MP had sacrificed a lot for the people of the Maa community, and that his family must be taken care of.

“Order kwa Governor wa Kajiado: Bibi ya Lempurkel aingie kazi mara moja kesho; wale vijana wake wengine nitachukua na nitaangalia mambo yao. Mungu aweke kijana wangu mahali pema peponi,” Raila said.

(I am ordering Governor Lenku to ensure that the wife of Lempurkel reports to work immediately. For the rest of the children, I will take care of them. May the Lord rest my son’s soul in eternal peace.)

Promises to family

While the Maa governors were praised for standing with the family in organizing the burial, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu was equally hailed for his contributions to the family.

Lenku, on his part, eulogized Lempurkel as a fearless Maasai warrior, urging all leaders who had given promises to the family to honour them. According to statements by the family, Lenku contributed Ksh2 million to cover funeral expenses.

“Today we bury a Maa crusader, a fearless warrior and a man who stood for his people against all odds,” Lenku said.

“There are commitments that we have given to the family of doing this or that, and we promise to stand together as governors and honour them.”

Lempurkel’s death

Lempurkel sustained serious injuries from a road accident in Ongata-Rongai and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries.

His death was announced by his family, and he was mourned by community leaders and former colleagues, who remembered him as a dedicated and selfless public servant.

Raila has since called for comprehensive investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident, noting that the driver of the vehicle that hit Lempurkel must be arrested and interrogated.