The story of Kajiado West is written across endless plains, volcanic escarpments and the shimmering shores of Lake Magadi. Here, Maasai traditions endure alongside expanding towns, mining, tourism and changing politics. Every election reflects a constituency balancing culture, development and climate resilience while shaping the future of one of Kenya's most unique political landscapes.

Hon. George Sunkuyia Risa, MP, Kajiado West PHOTO | COURTESY Parliament of Kenya

Kajiado West is a special place that sits on the vast plains and rugged escarpments of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, blending deep-rooted traditional ways with civic progress.

According to the 2019 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Census, Kajiado West has a population of 182,849 spread across 7,862 km², giving it a low population density of 23 people per km².

Kajiado West Constituency Election Summary (2013 – 2022).

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2013 General Election

The National Alliance (TNA) contestant Moses Somoine Ole Sakuda won the seat with 22,462 votes. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) man, Joseph Mokinyo Simel, came in as the first runner-up with 12,922 votes.

2017 General Election

George Sunkuyia Risa, who ran on the Jubilee Party (JP) ticket, was elected to the seat with 18696 votes. He bested the 1st runner-up, Mr Joseph Mokinyo Simel (ODM), who had polled 17,112 votes.

2022 General Election

 Hon. George Sunkuyia Risa, representing the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), successfully retained his seat, receiving 19,176 votes. His closest competitor was Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Moses Konana, who polled 19,065 votes, one of the most competitive races regionally.

Economy and Infrastructure

Livestock production and pastoralism, which is at the heart of nomadic livelihoods, is the immediate source of livelihood in Kajiado West. Cattle, sheep, and goats are raised on vast communal properties and through collective ranching operations, significantly impacting the area's livestock markets.

Many of these pastoral lands suffer from extreme drought, but pastoral people have developed coping strategies and are sensitive to their plight in the interest of survival and have found innovative solutions which include:

  1. Feedlot systems to fatten livestock for sale in order to maximize market value.
  2. Women's cooperatives engaged in marketing milk and providing retail services in the community.
  3. Value-chain diversification with focus on honey harvesting, hay production and hides.

The informal and industrial sectors are very strong. Tata Chemicals Magadi operations at Lake Magadi are world-famous mining and soda ash manufacturing operations. The peri-urban areas around Nairobi, e.g., Kiserian, have been rapidly transformed into real estate and commercial hubs due to their proximity to Nairobi. Cultural tourism also flourishes around the foothills of Ngong Hills and the cultural manyattas in the region.

There are still ongoing problems with drought, land pressures, water shortages, and the absence of paved feeder roads and electricity in the interior. Progress is evidenced through the number of boreholes, solar water solutions, last-mile grid connections, and rural road networks, through joint government and stakeholder interventions.

NG-CDF and Development Programs

Kajiado West also has a substantial share of allocation for basic public infrastructure and education as part of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund.

Important projects completed:

  1. Very large bursaries to retain needy students at secondary schools, technical institutes and universities.
  2. Increased capacity of schools and tertiary infrastructure, including the opening of Kajiado West Technical and Vocational College.
  3. Projects of water infrastructure using solar-powered boreholes for the benefit of the schools and communities in semi-arid regions.
  4. Grassroots training on Climate change adaptation, youth and women enterprise funds and Livestock value addition.

Political Behaviour

Kajiado West has evolved into one of Kajiado County's most competitive political constituencies, with closely fought elections reflecting shifting voter priorities and party loyalties.  As urban centers expand alongside traditional Maasai communities, Kajiado West is expected to remain a key political battleground heading into the 2027 General Election.