 |
Joseph Ole Lenku | |
|---|---|
 Governor Joseph Ole Lenku | |
| 2nd Governor Kajiado County | |
| In office 18 August 2017 – 7 August 2022 | |
| President | Uhuru Kenyatta |
| Preceded by | David ole Nkedianye |
| Interior Cabinet Secretary | |
| In office May 2013 – December 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Ole Nkaissery |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Jama Ole Lenku 20 October 1970 Loitokitok, Kajiado District, Kenya |
| Spouse | Edna Chelangat Lenku |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi (MBA, BCom) Kenya Utalii College (diploma) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Joseph Jama Ole Lenku (born 20 October 1970) is a Kenyan politician who is the second Governor of Kajiado County after winning in the Kenyan General Elections on 8 August 2017 and retained his seat in the 2022 General elections held on 8 August. Lenku was Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government from 2013 to 2014.
Ole Lenku is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he obtained his Master of Business Administration in strategic management and Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing. He has worked in different management positions for various hotels in Kenya and Tanzania.
On 23 May 2013, Ole Lenku was appointed Cabinet Secretary in President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet, surprisingly with no experience on security matters, becoming the only Maasai person appointed and the pioneering chief executive of the newly created ministry under Kenya's new constitution.[1] During his first year in office, Ole Lenku steered significant reforms in the security sector, including a robust crack-down on drug trafficking, reforms of the police force and increase in its budget and devolution of security. In the wake of the terrorist attack on the Westgate Mall in September 2013, Lenku spearheaded the rolling out of a new security framework known as "Nyumba Kumi" (ten households) anchored on the larger concept of community policing.[2]
Ole Lenku's appointment came as Kenya was transitioning to a new constitutional dispensation as well as a devolved government. His tenure as Cabinet Secretary has also been met with increased acts of terrorism culminating in the Westgate Mall attack, which left 69 dead and scores of people injured.[3] On 17 June 2014, Lenku dismissed calls for his resignation by the opposition and civil society led by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).[4] On 25 June 2014, Member of Parliament for Kisumu Central Ken Obura, a member of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) Now National Super Alliance (NASA), gave a notice of the motion to impeach Ole Lenku,[5] who fought back as the motion collapsed when the opposition quickly retreated.[6]
Following repeated Al-Shabaab attacks in Kenya amongst other security lapses, Ole Lenku was dropped from his post on 2 December 2014, with Kenyatta nominating Joseph Ole Nkaissery to replace him.
In August 2017 Joseph ole Lenku was inaugurated as the second Governor of Kajiado County. [7]
- ^ Kisia, Allan. "President Uhuru Kenyatta nominates Kazungu Kambi, Joseph ole Lenku to Cabinet". Standard Digital. The Standard Group Limited. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Muraya, Joseph (7 October 2013). "Kenya security to be enforced at the household". Capital News. Capital Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "Westgate Mall Attacks". The Guardian. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- ^ Ayodo, Harod. "LSK Calls for Lenku, Kimaiyo Resignation Over Killings". lsk.or.ke. The Law Society of Kenya. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Reporter, Standard. "CORD PREPARES MOTION TO IMPEACH INTERIOR CS JOSEPH OLE LENKU". standardmedia.co.ke. Standard Digital. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Nyambura, William. "Cord withdraws Ole Lenku censure motion". The Star. Radio Africa. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "Ole Lenku takes oath of office in colourful ceremony - Daily Nation". Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.