By Obegi Malack
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s meeting with a delegation of elected leaders from Kajiado County has exposed how Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has sidelined his critics.
According to sources the Governor excluded several leaders from the evening meeting including Kajiado Central Constituency MP Kanchori Memusi (ODM) who was locked out after he was informed that he was not among those invited.
Memusi had arrived in State House premises but was ordered to remain out of the meeting; only one MCA was allowed from his constituency. Kajiado East Constituency which is headed by Lenku critic MP Peris Tobiko was not represented by any elected leader. Former Senator Peter Mositet who is believed to be focusing on vying for a top seat was also not invited; his supporters have been pushing him to challenge the Governor in 2022 general election.
Former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye was also locked out but rescued after a phone call to the President, according to sources who added that Lenku and other Jubilee Party elected leaders are not comfortable with the former leader. They suspect the former governor may be awarded by the President with ministerial position which may bring him back to active politics.
During the president’stour in the County during his return form Tanzania Nkedianye had a conversation with the President; the former leader still commands a following across the county.
A politician who was among those invited who spoke on condition of anonymity said the President has no confidence with the county leadership. He claimed the Governor was playing politics of exclusion which the President is against. He said Uhuru was not happy and had ordered the leaders to work with all leaders including the opposition.
The politician said the President also took over some issues that used to be handled by the county.
In a press statement from State House on what transpired the President cautioned the leaders against divisive politics and urged them to embrace one another irrespective of their political leanings for the common good of all citizens.
The statement further said cheap politics makes things difficult, when people agree on what needs to be done.
On the issue of Magadi Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited and the Kenya Portland Cement the President said the national government will look into the concerns with a view of finding an amicable solution.
In a statement concerning the Magadi issue which was issued after the State House meeting, Lenku had warned of court battle with the company that he accused of destroying materials for constructing office facilities in the company land. The governor had stated that due to the large area covered by the company there need to be country offices to serve locals.
He said the company must pay the Sh 17 billion taxes owed to the county; the company is against paying such rates claiming it had an agreement with the past regime on the amount.
The Governor is yet to issue a statement on what transpired in State House but opted to share the press statement from State House on social media platform.
According to sources Kajiado South Member of Parliament Katoo Ole Metito was given the role of to form a task force to look into Kibini quarry done by East African Portland Cement which is in Kajiado East.
Those present in the meeting included MP’s Katoo ole Metito (Kajiado South), George Sunkuiya (Kajiado West), Joseph Manje (Kajiado North), Senator Philip Mpayie, nominated Senator Mary Seneta , Kajiado Women Rep Janet Teiyan, several MCAs.