Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has threatened to shut down ODM operations in the county, accusing party officials of campaigning for State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito despite his deputy Martin Moshisho seeking the party’s 2027 gubernatorial ticket.
Speaking during an event in Ewuaso Oonkidong'i Ward, Kajiado on Saturday, Lenku said he would not tolerate what he called “ODM party cartels” campaigning for non-ODM candidates and demanded an apology from party leader Oburu Oginga over the incident.
“We are still waiting for Oburu's apology on behalf of the party cartels that humiliated my Deputy in Kajiado on the payroll of Katoo Ole Metito,” Lenku said.
He accused unnamed individuals of using Metito’s money to weaken ODM in Kajiado and warned that continued support for the State House Comptroller could cost the party its influence in the county.
“ODM ikiendelea kuruhusu walafi wale wanaokimbiza pesa za Katoo, ODM itafungwa Kajiado,” he said.
Lenku defended his record in building ODM’s support in Kajiado, saying the party had only two MCAs and one MP when he found it before expanding its presence.
“We found ODM with two MCAs and one MP; now we have half the MCAs and three MPs. We revamped ODM,” he said.
He further warned that the party risked losing its grassroots support if it continued what he described as betrayal, saying he would not allow Metito to “kill ODM” in Kajiado.
The governor’s remarks come amid growing political competition in the county ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Moshisho having declared his intention to seek the ODM gubernatorial ticket.
Metito is also positioning himself for the Kajiado governorship, setting up a potentially heated contest for the seat after Lenku’s second and final term.
The dispute comes as ODM and UDA move towards formalising a coalition for the 2027 elections, with the two parties having established teams to work on a joint manifesto and coalition framework.
Lenku, who plans to seek the Kajiado Senate seat in 2027, said the political landscape had changed and warned that the Maasai community would no longer accept decisions imposed on it.
“You are dealing with a new Maa Nation,” he said. “This is a new Maa Nation that knows its rights and will fight for them.”