A fresh political and legal debate has emerged in Kajiado County after Governor Joseph Ole Lenku announced plans to help raise money for a local journalist who was ordered by the court to pay Ksh16 million to State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito over a defamation case.
Speaking outside his office on Wednesday, May 27, Lenku revealed that the journalist and his family had already started selling pieces of land in an attempt to raise the money required by the court.
According to the governor, the family’s efforts have still not been enough to clear the amount, leading to calls for public support.
Lenku said preparations for a fundraising event, commonly known as a Harambee, were already underway ahead of the gathering scheduled for Friday, May 29.
He explained that members of the community had begun contributing livestock and money to support the journalist and his family.
“And today I received a report on the preparations for that Harambee event, which will take place Friday. The family is ready, and different groups have already started contributing goats, sheep, and some money to help save the child,” Lenku stated.
“We will stand with this family and this young man to show that the path taken is not in line with our traditions,” he added.
The dispute reportedly started after the journalist published a social media post concerning Metito, who later described the publication as defamatory and moved to court.
A court in Ngong ordered the journalist to pay Ksh16 million in damages.Lenku urged the family to stop selling their land, saying the county leadership and members of the public would work together to raise the required amount.
The governor also argued that the punishment went against Maasai cultural practices, especially in disputes involving elders and younger people.
In response to the planned fundraiser, Metito clarified that none of the money would benefit him personally.
Through a statement shared on social media, he said all the funds would be deposited directly through the court process before being redirected to community projects.
“All funds raised by Lenku and his associates on 29th will be deposited directly with the court. Absolutely no portion of these funds will go to my pocket or personal benefit; the money will go entirely back to the people ‘Where it Came from’,” he stated.
“I will then designate these funds entirely to substantial community projects to address severe deficits in health, water supply, and basic education caused by nine years of Kajiado county’s administrative mismanagement,” he added.
The developments come at a time when political tensions between Metito and Lenku appear to be increasing ahead of the 2027 Kajiado gubernatorial race, which Metito is reportedly preparing to contest.
