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Elders Now Rally to Speaker's Defense
By Mutahi Rukanga and Allan Kisia, East African Standart
Kenia
September 14, 2004
A group of Maasai elders yesterday defended House Speaker Francis ole Kaparo against claims that he has betrayed the community's cause to reclaim land from white ranchers.
The elders from Laikipia said they did not support claims made by Cabinet Minister William ole Ntimama , adding that he was disrespectful not only to Kaparo but to them all.
"Let it be known that Kaparo is a respectable Kenyan leader, not an inciter and heckler like Ntimama and others," they asserted.
In a statement read by Ilaikipiak Maasai spokesman John ole Keshine, they castigated Ntimama for inciting them to invade private ranches, saying they are suffering since they are the ones being arrested by the police when they invade private ranches.
"Why is he (Ntimama) making us hold a hot pot yet he does not do the same?" he posed and appealed to fellow Maasai to vacate private land and wait for appropriate advice from the government.
The elders said if Ntimama wanted war, he should take it to his Narok District and leave Laikipia people in peace and dared Ntimama to take his cattle to private ranches in Laikipia so as to face the wrath they are undergoing.
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