A section of Maasai leaders have come out strongly in defense of Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS), Keriako Tobiko, after Emurrua Dikirr Member of Parliament (MP), Johana Ngeno, accused him of creating disunity in Narok County.
Scores of former Narok councilors demanded Ngeno apologizes, saying the Maasai community will not accept any leader who insults the Cabinet Secretary or demeans President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Led by Kelena Ole Nchoe, former Narok Town Council Chairman, the leaders said the bitterness of Ngeno stems from people who were evicted from Maasai Mau forest.
“If you cannot respect the President and his Cabinet, there is no way we will respect you. Tobiko is not a bush baby with no one to defend. You should understand that an insult to Tobiko is an insult to the Maasai community,” Ole Nchoe said.
Their reactions follow a clip that went viral on social media where the MP alleged that Tobiko was the main cause of tension in the county and demanded that the CS resigns.
The clip also showed the MP lashing out at President Uhuru Kenyatta accusing him of what he claimed as sidelining Deputy President Ruto.
Former Narok County Council Chairman, Shadrack Ole Rotiken, said Tobiko had performed the task assigned him by the President in a professional manner since he had removed all encroachers in the forest.
“We are behind the President in his efforts to conserve the forest. Maasai Mau forest should be conserved at all costs,” said Ole Rotiken.
National Director Constituency Development Fund (CDF), George Michuko, said Tobiko is the only Cabinet Secretary from the Maa community and the leaders will not allow him to be insulted by ill-minded people.
Kajido County ODM Chairman, Innocent Katoo, said Tobiko was one of the top performers in the country because he had reclaimed many forests that had been taken over by illegal settlers.
“Narok County is dominated by the Maasai community and we will not accept people who come to insult us and pit us against our leaders,” he reiterated.
Ms Prisca Nchoe, a youth leader in the County said the Maa youth will not accept to be incited by people with selfish intentions of dividing the residents with target to benefit from their resources.
“The Maasai community is not on auction. We are aware of your evil tricks of taking delegations to Nairobi to give them money so that they can go against the President,” said Ms. Nchoe.
They spoke today in a Narok hotel where they pledged their support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and the handshake.
By Ann Salaton
