Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has launched a new political party, Forum for Economic Development Agenda (FEDA), at Ufangamano House in Nairobi on Friday, November 6, 2026, signalling an end to his association with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya, November 6, 2026 — Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has launched a new political party, the Forum for Economic Development Agenda (FEDA), in a move that could reshape political alignments across the Maa community ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The launch, held at Ufangamano House in Nairobi on Friday, marks a major political departure for Lenku, who has been at odds with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership over the party’s political direction and its arrangements in Kajiado County.
FEDA is expected to provide Lenku and other Maa leaders with an independent political platform to pursue elective positions, strengthen the community’s bargaining power and push for greater representation in national decision-making.
The governor had disclosed days before the launch that he had consulted Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and political aspirants from Kajiado on establishing a political vehicle that would field candidates for elective positions across Maa Nation counties, except the presidency.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Lenku said the initiative was intended to give the Maa community a platform to negotiate for power, development and representation at the national level.
“Time has come for the Maa Nation to stand on their own and claim space at the national table, just like any other region in Kenya,” he said.
The launch brings into focus Lenku’s growing differences with ODM, which came to the fore in August 2026 when he accused the party of betraying its supporters.
The governor took issue with ODM officials who campaigned for politicians affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), despite his deputy, Martin Moshisho, seeking the Kajiado gubernatorial seat on an ODM ticket.
The dispute deepened after ODM Acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo challenged Lenku to leave the party if he was dissatisfied with its leadership. She accused him of criticising ODM while continuing to benefit from its political platform.
Lenku had previously threatened to lead a mass exit of Maa leaders from the party, citing disagreements over its leadership and political arrangements in Kajiado.
FEDA’s entry into the political arena now gives the governor a new vehicle through which to organise leaders and aspirants around a regional political agenda. Its proposed reach across Maa-dominated counties could also influence how parties negotiate alliances and distribute political support ahead of the next polls.
The party’s launch comes as Lenku approaches the end of his second and final term as Kajiado governor. He has previously expressed interest in contesting the Kajiado Senate seat after leaving office, although the launch announcement did not establish his specific electoral plans under FEDA.
The new party will therefore face the task of translating its promise of a united political platform into support across the Maa Nation counties, while building structures capable of competing in the 2027 elections.
