“Suits and Helicopters for Four Years” Kipkorir Tears Into Maa Leaders Over Election-Year Politics

Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has accused Maa leaders of wearing traditional attire only in a General Election year, after President William Ruto’s recent visit to the Maa cultural festival.

In a statement, he said that for the other four years, the leaders are in suits and helicopters, describing the cyclical hoodwinking of the community once every five years as very cynical.

Kipkorir claimed the Maa community remains behind in every development indicator, yet keeps electing leaders who “become like them only on elections year.” No figures accompanied the remarks.

The comments follow the President’s participation in the Maa cultural festival, an annual event that began in 2023 at Sekenani in Narok County.

At the inaugural edition, Ruto said the government would fully sponsor it as an annual national celebration, and he handed over a Unesco certificate for the Maa rite of passage.

At that first festival, Ruto, then-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi wore Maasai regalia, and Ruto identified himself as part of the community.

The festival has since grown. Attendance rose from about 12,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in 2024 and 30,000 in 2025, with organisers projecting 100,000 this year, a Nation opinion piece said.

Maa leaders, for their part, have credited the President with delivering.

At a previous festival, the governors of Narok, Kajiado and Samburu pledged to back his 2027 re-election, citing fulfilled promises and the handover of Amboseli National Park.

Separately, reports say Ruto has announced that tarmacking of the planned Narok International Airport runway will begin on November 16, with the facility set to open in 2027.

No response from Maa governors or other leaders had been reported at the time of writing.

The exchange touches a long-running debate over whether cultural recognition translates into development.

Supporters say the festival boosts tourism and local business, while Kipkorir’s remarks suggest that is not enough for the community.

With the 2027 election near, Maa voters will decide which promises really count.

https://x.com/DonaldBKipkorir/status/2121958487932412032?a=FK4ASaM7NDCalPP_ydg&s=19

Bubbleoozesupdates feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com