Inside Kajiado North's Fast-Changing Political Landscape

Certainly, Kajiado North, in more ways than one, is just the entrance to Nairobi. However, it is, more accurately, a highly active peri-urban electorate where the pace of the city is merging with rural culture and traditions.  

Here, livelihood is a mix of old and new — pastoralism on the one hand, and real estate development, trade, and service provision on the other. Being largely Maasai for ages now, the mix of different races has also appeared here because of urbanisation.

Kajiado North Constituency was established in 1966 and has grown into one of Kenya's fastest-urbanising constituencies. According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, it has a population of 306,596 people spread across approximately 148 km². 

Kajiado North Constituency MP Election Summary (2013–2022)

2013 General Election

Kajiado North had 102,175 registered voters. Joseph Wathigo Manje of TNA won the parliamentary seat with 43,199 votes, defeating Samson Moindi Angienda of ODM, who garnered 20,561 votes. Voter turnout stood at 86.11%.

 2017 General Election

The number of registered voters increased to 127,953. Joseph Wathigo Manje, this time running on the Jubilee Party ticket, retained the seat after securing 63,595 votes against Mocheche George Morara of ODM, who received 22,415 votes. Voter turnout declined to 74.93%.

2022 General Election

Kajiado North had 134,880 registered voters. Onesmus Ngogoyo Nguro of UDA was elected Member of Parliament after winning 26,718 votes, while George Obore Yogo of ODM finished second with 11,647 votes. Voter turnout further dropped to 58.52%.

Political Behaviour

Kajiado North is one of Kajiado County's most competitive and rapidly changing constituencies. Rapid urbanisation, population growth and an increasingly diverse electorate have shifted politics away from traditional ethnic voting towards issue-based campaigns centred on infrastructure, housing, security, water, healthcare and employment.

While the constituency has largely backed the ruling party in recent elections, voters have shown a willingness to change leadership when they believe development and service delivery have fallen short.

Infrastructure & Economy

Kajiado North went from mainly pastoral livestock rearing to becoming a major centre of real estate and trade. It is a very important engine of Kajiado County’s Gross County Product, with the high-density residential developments serving Nairobi commuters. Sub-towns have supermarkets, shopping malls, banking, and a very lively Jua Kali sector.

Agriculture has transformed to intensive peri-urban activities: small-scale poultry, zero-grazing dairy, and greenhouse horticulture. The area raises county Own Source Revenue significantly through fees for permits, land rates, and construction. 

Problems mainly concern land use: the issue of land subdivision and development on one side, and the need to sustain urban development while safeguarding Maasai cultural values.

NG-CDF and Development Schemes

Hon Ngogoyo has concentrated on education and infrastructure development. The recent projects from the NG-CDF fund consist of new classrooms, science labs and toilets in the form of ablution blocks in Oloolua Primary School Primary and Olkeri Primary School Primary Schools.

Latest Infotrak ratings of political performance have recognised improvements made by this MP and that Kajiado North is emerging as the constituency of the future.

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